The Pagan Speaks
My pagan heart only knows this to be true that all is God, and God is all.
They tell me to bow, but how can I, when there is no space between Earth and me?
Be obedient they say, but my self is borrowed, how can it be more obedient than knowing this?
You ask me to separate myself from God, then you command me to seek God in rituals, prayers, clothes, bowing to men and words recited in self-conscious rhythms.
Else you will punish me with lectures and raps on my knuckles to start with…
and then yum yum hang me, whip me, kill me with a bullet in my head or worse!
You cannot take me away from God and then tell me
what is right and what is wrong.
We aren’t going to agree with you.
We aren’t separate to begin with you see!
–from the collection, “The Dervish Speaks From The Wall” poems and essays about the tradition of compassion and gifting in the sub-continent by Saima Shah
Behind The Veil 