Love came and emptied me of self,
Every vein and every pore,
Made into a container to be filled by the Beloved.
Of me, only a name is left,
The rest is You my Friend, my Beloved.

-Abu Sai’d Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian)

from Nobody Son of Nobody.  Hohm Press, 2001

Turn me inside out and empty me

Of everything I was, am, wished to be

Crack my stiff rib’s cage and let love free

All i want is yearning yearning

AlI drink is burning, burning

If my heart’s your throne

make my soul your clothes

If it means I’ll touch you

play dice with my bones

The dark light of your flashing eyes

Turns my midnight hair star-white

The lightning of your rapturous stare

Steals away my sense and sight

Your wine-warm voice poured in my ear

Melts my bones to milk and foam

Your fiery tongue laps up my soul

Out from my body’s spinning bowl