Poetry from Rumi

[Chandra]

Jallaludin Rumi, born 9-30-1207 and lived in what is now Afghanistan. He is known as a poet mystic. I believe he is of the Sufi tradition but cannot check that now as most of my books are packed in a box in the attic. However, I did receive a most beautiful book of his poetry for my birthday and am inspired to share some of his ecstatic love poems to God with you here. He would be considered a Bhakti by yoga terms - following the thread of his heart's love and longing to know God, finding that innate inner longing a sure cord leading to a fountain of Divine Love. The energy of his experience feels alive to me today as i read his words and the echo of his connection to Spirit resonates with the longings in my own heart. I hope you enjoy these selections. Please feel free to post your favorite inspiring poems or quotations, or to share your own writing. Too often we are overwhelmed by the list of "must do" and the daily challenges of life. Reading such poetry can remind us to "Be still and know", to return to the purity of a sense of wonder at the miracles which surround us in this world, to stop the rush and tumble just long enough...


POETRY BY RUMI

When something unique becomes many,
it loses its value.
Yet many are the sorrows of the heart
but they become precious gems
on the path to the Beloved.

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You are the sky and I am the earth
astonished at what you grow inside my heart.
Dry-lipped and thirsty, only the grace of your rain
can turn the earth into a rose garden.
By you it is pregnant and only you know its burden.
It twists, it turns and sighs until
it gives birth to divine longing.

The Beloved takes care of his lovers
and feeds them generously.
Sometimes he ties them with the cord of reason
and sometimes he sets them free to dance.
Look at the meadow bursting with flowers
unable to contain its joy.
Look at the power of the Divine One
turning senseless dust into a sublime painting!
All we see is a veil of this never setting Sun,
this ancient Sun that will one day silently reveal
everything that has been planted.