We can't help being thirsty,
moving toward
the voice of water.
Milk-drinkers draw close
to the mother.
Muslims, Christians,
Jews, Buddhists, Hindus,
shamans, everyone hears
the intelligent sound
and moves, with thirst, to meet it.

Clean your ears.
Don't listen for something
you've heard before.
Invisible camel bells,
slight footfalls in sand.

Almost in sight!
The first word they call out
will be the last word
of our last poem.

Rumi
translated by Coleman Barks