In vain, will we scour
through a thousand books
if we fail to unlock a window
into our inner beings.
No more than those we will be
who go to temples
and mosques every day
but never discover the secret
of higher living
treasured in their hearts.
In vain, will be our fight
with the devil without
if we fail to fight
the devil within.
An interpretation of a poem by great Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah who composed the verses in Punjabi.
Ali Imran is a Washington-based journalist, who has worked for leading world news organizations as correspondent, expert and in editorial positions. He is a published author and poet.
