The Silver Window - Daniel Kahn, the Painted Bird

A wealthy merchant sought the wisdom of the Baal Shem Tov

Longing to be granted entry to the holy grove

Many mountains, many cities, over land and foam

Did this man of plenty travel from his splendid home

And when he reached the dwelling of this holiest of men

He kneeled before the Besht with gold and silver in his hand

The wise man led him to the window, showed him all the world

There before the wealthy man the human scene unfurled

Poor souls floated under clothing, walking on their way

Each a dream that dies in waking, each a night that dies in day

Then the window was a mirror, blocking out the sky

Showing nothing to the merchant but the merchant’s eye

«Tell me sir, the wise man questioned, what the difference be

Twixt the window and the mirror into which you see?

Only silver, only silver coats the glass behind

Though the pane may be the same the silver makes you blind

Seek the world but seek it clearly free your soul from sin

Wealth will surely but reveal your poverty within

Break the mirror, melt the silver, give your gold away

Let your dream begin in waking, let the night be born in day»