Sheba’s Hesitation

From Chapter 17: SOLOMON POEMS
Book IV, Verses 1082-1113
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Be joyful, O lovers, in need, for today this door shall open.  
Whatever need you have, fulfill it again in the garden, free from arrogance and pride.  
Each one with its own kind, in its own way, absorbs moisture for ripening.  
You, who are saffron, be saffron and do not mix with others.  
Drink water, O saffron, so you may reach the saffron in that sweet dish.  
Do not place your turnip-like face in the pot, for it will not become of the same nature and creed as you.  
You have done your part, and it is entrusted, for God's earth is vast.  
Especially that land, so vast that demons and fairies get lost in its journey.  
In that sea, desert, and mountains, illusions and imaginations are cut off.  
This desert, among His deserts, is like a single hair in the ocean.  
The standing water, whose hidden flow is fresh and more delightful than flowing streams.  
Within itself, like soul and spirit, it holds hidden flow and moving feet.  
The listener is asleep, shorten your speech, O preacher, reduce this image on the water.  
Rise, O Bilqis, for the market is brisk, flee from these miserly ones who bring stagnation.  
Rise, O Bilqis, now with choice, before death brings capture and struggle.  
After that, death will drag you so that you come like a thief to the soul-taking officer.  
How long will you be a hoof thief among these donkeys? If you steal, come and be a ruby thief.  
Your sisters have found the kingdom of eternity, while you have taken the kingdom of blindness and blueness.  
Blessed is he who escapes this kingdom, for death is the destroyer of this realm.  
Rise, O Bilqis, come and see the kingdom of kings and the sultans of religion.  
Washed inwardly among the rose garden, outwardly unique among friends.  
The garden moves with him wherever he goes, yet it remains hidden from the people.  
The fruits peel themselves, saying, "Eat from me," the water of life has come, saying, "Drink from me."  
Circle the sky without wings and feathers, like the sun, the full moon, and the crescent.  
When you are spirit, you are spirit and have no feet, you eat a hundred morsels and do not chew.  
Neither the whale of sorrow strikes your ship, nor does the ugliness of people appear.  
You are both king and army, both throne and good fortune, you are both well-fated and fate itself.  
If you are well-fated and a mighty sultan, the fortune is not yours, one day the fortune will depart.  
You remain like beggars without means, be your own fortune, O chosen one.  
When you are your own fortune, O spiritual one, then how can you lose yourself?  
How can you lose yourself from good qualities when your essence has become kingdom and wealth?  
The rest of Solomon's construction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, by God's teaching and revelation for wisdoms He knows, with the assistance of angels, demons, fairies, and humans, is apparent.

Barks Interpretation

Lovers of God, sometimes a door opens,