Don't Utter a Sound

O nightingale--
Learn love's way
from the moth.

That burnt one
passed away,
but didn't
utter a sound.

These pretenders
are deluded
in seeking him.

Those who came
to know the Friend
never sent back
any news.


Sa'di, Muslih al-Din (d. 1292)
trans. David and Sabrineh Fideler, from "Love's Alchemy"