I
   listen to what’s happening in shiraz two birds sit in a tree talking one says I am a bird what else am I the other says just fly and don’t think about it listen to what the birds say.

II
   listen to what’s happening in shiraz two nightingales sit in a tree singing one says drink wine drink the other says no the true wine comes from the lips of god.

III
   listen to what’s happening in shiraz a poet writes what you were that you will be you were clay and clay you will become even though you’re the king and the lord in face of death you will turn pale and then he is called before the king and he pulls out that paper. listen to what happens then the man pulls out that paper and begins to read what you were that you will be you were great you will become greater you are our king and our lord you will live forever and be praised forever see what’s happening in shiraz where else could it happen like this.


1969
Translated by Ieva Lesinska