This poem inspired my short story in the Westerly (64) 1 edition.

It seems to me that this poem, written by the 12th century Persian poet Hafiz, showcases the constant challenge for connection with ‘difference’ as well as illustrating how we are both the same and different, and that we should celebrate this.

 

There Is a Wonderful Game

By Hafiz

There is a game we should play,
And it goes like this:

We hold hands and look into each other’s eyes
And scan each other’s face.

Then I say,
“Now tell me a difference you see between us.”

And you might respond,
“Hafiz, your nose is ten times bigger than mine!”

Then I would say;
“Yes, my dear, almost ten times!”

But let’s keep playing.
Let’s go deeper,
Go deeper.
For if we do,
Our spirits will embrace
And interweave.

Our union will be so glorious
That even God
Will not be able to tell us apart.

There is a wonderful game
We should play with everyone
And it goes like this . . .