Communal Invocation | Adapted from the poetry of Hafiz

Read by Kerry A. Maloney and Xavier I. Sayeed, MTS I

Seasons of Light is hosted by Harvard Divinity School's Office of Religious and Spiritual Life under the direction of Christopher Hossfeld, Director of Music and Ritual, and Kerry A. Maloney, Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life.

The full video recording of Seasons of Light 2020 can be found on the HDS YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVuYb9d7tCc&t=587s

TRANSCRIPT:

One:Light will someday split you open even if your life is now a cage,

All:for a divine seed, the crown of destiny, is hidden and sown

on an ancient, fertile plain you hold the title to.

One:Love will surely burst you wide open into an unfettered, blooming new galaxy

All:even if your mind is now a spoiled mule.

One:A life-giving radiance will come; the Friend's gratuity will come.

All:O look again within yourself, for I know you were once

the elegant host to all the marvels in creation.

One:From a sacred crevice in your body a bow rises each night and shoots your soul into God.

All:Behold the Beautiful Drunk Singing One from the lunar vantage point of love.

One:That One is conducting the affairs of the whole universe

All:while throwing wild parties in a tree house—on a limb in your heart.