As I walked out into our backyard one evening a couple of weeks ago to lock up the chickens for the night, I was greeted by an enormous full moon. It felt like a gift of grace—not only because of its breathtaking beauty but also because it reminded me of this poem by the 14th century poet Hafiz.

One of the things I love most about this poem—written in Persia nearly eight centuries ago—is its reminder that as much as we humans may differ across boundaries of time, geography, ethnicity, politics, sexuality, and religion, we are much more alike than we are different, especially when it comes to the most fundamental things.

I love this poem, too, because it challenges me to be a better human and to dream of a better world—a world in which each of us understood just how much all of us need to be loved.

With That Moon Language

by Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz

Admit something:
Everyone you see, you say to them, “Love me.”
Of course you do not do this out loud,
otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye
that is always saying,
with that sweet moon language,
what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?