I am Tahirih
Last night she wore the mask that bares the soul
She stood behind the screen to speak
The prison that frees her voice
And today my heart is open
To be open to love is to be unprotected
The Rose opening burnt by the sun
The Arms opening to be crucified
The eyes opening to see
So in the quiet before dawn
I go into the garden
And feel the connexion
And the danger
Of the soul being held in a body
As the candle flame flickers in the jar
That contains it even though it cannot hold its light in
There is no other way to feel than to open
There is no other way to embrace than to open your arms,
Unshielding your heart
No other way to shine than to be consumed by fire
So even I, Tahirih, take off my veil
The one I chose to wear.
Yes it means I must go
But I go to my Beloved
And there is no other way
It is the way of love.
© 2015 Unjay
with thanks to Delia Olam for the inspiration