THE AGE OF INFANCY

Introduction

Though outwardly dealing with the mundane subject of the age of infancy the main theme of this poem is that the search for the Truth and the beauty of the creation of God is one of the "Longings" bestowed on Man by Him. This faculty expresses itself from the very infancy. This is the way to learn the secrets of the universe as a step towards obtaining the knowledge of God from "Anfus -o-ÿf«q", which is also required by the Holy Qur’«n in numerous verses, such as 2:164; 3:190; 6:95-99; 10:5-6; 17:12; 30:20-27, 46; 36:37-41; 41: 36-37, 39-40; 42:32-35; 45:3-6; 88:17-20

Translation
The earth and sky were unknown worlds to me
Only the expanse of mother's bosom was a world to me

Every movement was a symbol of life's pleasure to me
My own speech was like a meaningless word to me

During infancy's pain if somebody made me cry
The noise of the door chain would comfort me

Oh! How I stared at the moon for long hours
Staring at its silent journey among broken clouds

I would ask repeatedly about its mountains and plains¹
And how surprised would I be at that prudent lie

My eye was devoted to seeing, my lip was prone to speak
My heart was no less than inquisitiveness personified

Explanatory Notes
1. Allusion to the "spots" on the moon’s surface which are the shadows of its mountains but variously described in nursery rhymes and tales of fantasy .