“It is written on the gate of heaven: Nothing in existence is more powerful than destiny. And destiny brought you here, to this page, which is part of your ticket-as all things are-to return to God.”

“I KNOW THE WAY YOU CAN GETI know the way you can getWhen you have not had a drink of Love: Your face hardens,Your sweet muscles cramp.Children become concernedAbout a strange look that appears in your eyesWhich even begins to worry your own mirrorAnd nose. Squirrels and birds sense your sadnessAnd call an important conference in a tall tree.They decide which secret code to chantTo help your mind and soul. Even angels fear that brand of madnessThat arrays itself against the worldAnd throws sharp stones and spears intoThe innocentAnd into one's self. O I know the way you can getIf you have not been drinking Love: You might rip apartEvery sentence your friends and teachers say,Looking for hidden clauses. You might weigh every word on a scaleLike a dead fish. You might pull out a ruler to measureFrom every angle in your darknessThe beautiful dimensions of a heart you onceTrusted. I know the way you can getIf you have not had a drink from Love'sHands. That is why all the Great Ones speak ofThe vital needTo keep remembering God,So you will come to know and see HimAs being so PlayfulAnd Wanting,Just Wanting to help. That is why Hafiz says:Bring your cup near me.For all I care aboutIs quenching your thirst for freedom! All a Sane man can ever care aboutIs giving Love!”

“Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut you more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few humans and even divine ingredients can. Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft, my voice so tender, my need for God absolutely clear.”

“Let's offer flowers, pour a cup of libation,split open the skies and start anew on creation.If the forces of grief invade our lovers' veins,cupbearer and I will wash away this temptation.With rose water we'll mellow crimson wine's bitter cup;we'll sugar the fire to sweeten smoke's emanation.Take this fine lyre, musician, strike up a love song;let's dance, sing all night, go wild in celebration.As dust, 0 West Wind, let us rise to the Heavens,floating free in Creator's glow of elation.If mind desires to return while heart cries to stay,here's a quarrel for love's deliberation.Alas, these words and songs go for naught in this land;come, Hafez, let's create a new generation.”

“And the sun and the moon sometimes argue over who will tuck me in at night. If you think I am having more fun than anyone on this planet, you are absolutely correct.”

“You carry/All the ingredients/To turn your life into a nightmare--/Don't mix them!”

“This place where you are right now,God circled on a map for you.”