A Golden Compass by Hafiz
by Steven McCabe
Forget every idea of right and wrong
any classroom ever taught you
Because
an empty heart, a tormented mind,
Unkindness, jealousy and fear are always the testimony
you have been completely fooled!
Turn your back on those
who would imprison your wondrous spirit
with deceit and lies.
Come, join the honest company
of the King’s beggars –
those gamblers, scoundrels and divine clowns
and those astonishing fair courtesans
who need Divine Love every night.
Come, join the courageous
who have no choice
but to bet their entire world
that indeed,
indeed, God is Real.
I will lead you into the circle
of the Beloved’s cunning thieves,
those playful royal rogues–
the ones you can trust for true guidance–
who can aid you
In this blessed calamity of life.
Translated by Daniel Ladinsky
poemimage 
Love your linocut work. The stringency and power from the humble material. Hafiz would approve 🙂
Thanks Nar. I think you’ve nailed the linocut ‘line’ right on the money there. That’s a good description of lino. Glad Hafiz would approve! :- )
Wonderful progression. I really love your linos.
Thank you Richard. I love the high contrast in lino but man does one have to be patient. Each stroke deliberate. ‘Don’t rush, don’t rush…’
Loved the visuals as much as the words!
Thank you Heather. One tries to be a worthy companion to such words.
Your linocuts are exquisite. Those faces, though; the intimate portraits of a man and woman have incredible expression!
A dance of verse and image.
Karen many thanks. I actually did this art for a poem involving two people and in the end decided to use it for this instead. It is definitely an emotional encounter between the two. Thank you for your thoughts.
Wonderful images. Very effective use of lino-cuts to produce a unique creative expression of ideas. 🙂
Bonus for keeping the tags below 15. 😀
Thank you. It was quite a joy working with these lines. And yes! below 15. The Golden Rule!
Such a great poems and paintings are here.Ii’s great to follow them Steven.Keep doing……..
Thank you Shirin. Glad to see you here.
WOW. Knockout combination, but the images are just gorgeous – the combination of the bold lines and the sometimes softer vignetting… just marvellous.
Thank you Katalina. Glad you like these images! I loved working with the lino and digital colours.
Outstanding post & blog Steven! Congratulations and best wishes to you. Aquileana 😀
Thank you Aquileana!
Awesome 🙂
Thank you Shirin!