One Breath

Poem by Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh

From pre-eternity to post-eternity
     is but a single breath,
A breath free of all these melodies
      high and low.

Treasure this breath,
     this moment you now enjoy,
Spending it in happiness: there is
     no time for sorrow.

Once this moment has passed,
     it is gone forever.
Your time is less
     than the very least you can imagine.

If you spend this moment laughing,
     the world will be all laughter.
But if you fall into depression,
     the world will be all sorrow.

Don’t give your heart to this unstable,
     transitory world
With all its ups and downs,
     its twists and turns.

Lighten another’s heart;
     be light of heart yourself,
For the highest gain in the world
     is this.

Take care, Nurbakhsh,
     not to hurt any heart,
For this is more valuable
     than any crown or throne.

http://nimatullahi.org/what-is-sufism/poetry/one-breath.php