celebrate international rumi year

Yesterday at dawn,
my friend said, How long
will this unconsciousness go on?

You fill yourself with
the sharp pain of love,
rather than it’s fulfillment.

I said, “But I can’t get to you!
You are the whole dark night,
and I am a single candle.

My life is upside down
because of you!”

The friend replied, I am
your deepest being.
Quit talking about wanting me!

I said, “Then what is this
restlessness?”

The friend: Does a drop
stay still in the ocean?

Move with the entirety,
and with the tiniest particular.

Be the moisture in an oyster
that helps to form one pearl.

In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,

but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.

As if I really need one

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning
a new arrival.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

- Rumi/Translated by Coleman Barks

Your First Eyes

A lover has four streams inside,
of water, wine, honey and milk

Find those in yourself, and pay no attention
what so-and-so says about such-and-such

The rose does not care if someone calls it a thorn,
or a jasmine. Ordinary eyes categorize
human beings, that one is a Zoroastrian,
This one, a Muslim.

Walk instead with the other vision give you,
Your first eyes. Don’t squint,
and don’t stare blankly like a vulture

Those who love fire fall in the fire
A fly slips from the edge into the whey

If you are in love with the infinite,
why grieve over earth washing away in the rain?

Bow to the essence in a human being.
A desert drinks war-blood,
but if it knew this secret,
springs would rise, rose gardens.

Don’t be content with judging people good and bad.
Grow out of that. The great blessing is
that Shams has poured a strength into the ground
that lets us wait and trust the waiting.

Gamble everything for love,
if you’re a true human being.
If not, leave this gathering.
Half-heartedness doesn’t reach into majesty.
You set out to find God, but then you keep stopping for long periods at meanspirited roadhouses.
Don’t wait any longer.
Dive in the ocean.
Leave & let the sea be you.

A night full of talking that hurts,
my worst held-back secrets:
everything that has to do with loving and not loving.
This night will pass.
Then we have work to do.
Painstaking work,
then the swan spreads its wings.

sketching her man
in words
gasps of green ferns

.

I worship the moon.
Tell me of the soft glow of a
candle light
and the sweetness of my moon.

Don’t talk about sorrow,
tell me of that treasure,
hidden if it is to you,
then just remain silent.

Last night
I lost my grip on reality
and welcomed insanity.
Love
saw me and said,
I showed up.
Wipe your tears
and be silent.

I said, O Love
I am frightened,
but it’s not you.
Love said to me,
there is nothing that is not me.
be silent.

I will whisper secrets in your ear
just nod yes
and be silent.

A soul moon
appeared in the path of my heart.
How precious is this journey.

I said, O Love
what kind of moon is this?
Love said to me,
this is not for you to question.
be silent.

I said, O Love
what kind of face is this,
angelic, or human?
Love said to me,
this is beyond anything that you know.
Be silent.

I said, please reveal this to me
I am dying in anticipation.
Love said to me,
that is where I want you:
Always on the edge,
be silent.
You dwell in this hall of
images and illusions,
leave this house now
and be silent.

I said, O Love,
tell me this:
Does the Lord know you are
treating me this way?
Love said to me,
yes He does,
just be totally
totally silent.

-Rumi

Let go of your worries

and be completely clear-hearted,

like the face of a mirror

that contains no images.

If you want a clear mirror,

behold yourself

and see the shameless truth,

which the mirror reflects.

If metal can be polished

to a mirror-like finish,

what polishing might the mirror

of the heart require?

Between the mirror and the heart

is this single difference:

the heart conceals secrets,

while the mirror does not.

-Rumi