Quest for Simurgh

The birds assemble and the hoopoe tells them of the Simurgh

The world’s birds gathered for their conference

And said: “Our constitution makes no sense.

All nations in the world require a king;

How is it we alone have no such thing?

Only a kingdom can be justly run;

We need a king and must inquire for one.”

They argued how to set about their quest.

The hoopoe fluttered forward; on his breast

There shone the symbol of the Spirit’s Way

And on his head Truth’s crown, a feathered spray.

Discerning, righteous and intelligent,

He spoke: “My purposes are heaven-sent;

I keep God’s secrets, mundane and divine,

Set free your soul; impatient of delay,

Step out along our sovereign’s royal Way:

We have a king; beyond Kaf’s mountain peak

The Simorgh lives, the sovereign whom you seek

Excerpted from:

THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS Farid ud-din Attar, 1177

Translated by Afham Darbandi and Dick Davis, London: Penguin, 1984

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