On the way to Love, each lover must either annihilate himself
or give up his life in death.
Some say,
“Love’s goal is to drink water from the Fountain of Life.”
These are just empty words, O lover, just empty words.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai #3, page 226.
A Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translation (pub. 11/2021)
O Sun who rides the horse of the sky!
O Beauty who uses deception to turn Himself into a star!
Sometimes, You appear like the heart sitting in the middle of the house.
At other times You come and sit in a corner. Continue reading “What a Crafty, Deceitful One (5/9/2021)”
Endure your pain quietly. I am your remedy.
Don’t look at anyone except Me,
because I am your true friend.
Even if I kill you, don’t say, “I have been killed.”
Instead, be grateful,
because I am the compensation for your life.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai #3, page 307
A Rubaiyat of Rumi/The Ergin Translation (Nov. 2021), Rubai 654
The parrot came to the tree to share sugar’s prayer.
The rose asked the nightingale to read poetry.
Receiving a revelation, the tall green cypress said,
“As long as your soul stays in your body,
put a belt on your waist. Serve day and night.
That brings results. Continue reading “That Brings Results (4/25/2021)”
Today, I am on the outside of a circle,
as if I am standing on the outside of a door.
I have become friends with the door knocker,
and I am holding onto it, knocking fearlessly.
Once I become a true companion of vision,
I will get through that door.
I will get into that circle,
and once I get in, I will stay there forever.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai #1, page 302.
If He destroys hundreds like me, that causes no sorrow for Him.
You fall in Love. He doesn’t care.
Your heart is broken. He has many others.
He asks, “Why can’t your eyes see the wine?”
What can they do?
They are always wet in front of Your sun. Continue reading “Glory after Glory (4/11/2021)”
I am happy,
but that happiness is not from the reed-flute.
I am warm, but that warmth is not from any water or fire.
Love has emptied me so much of my self
that when I am measured on a scale,
I am two batmans* lighter than Nothing.
*An historical unit of weight.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai #1, page 298.
Ascend to the sky from this banal world.
Your soul will be blessed if you do.
Walk nicely now.
Yes, you have jumped out from this town which is so full of sickness and shivering.
Now, make your home the land of happiness and joy.
If the painting of your body is destroyed, return to the Painter.
If your flesh is decayed, be content with being pure soul.
If your face is withered because of death,
settle down in the purple-colored tulip garden.
If they close the door of the house on you,
come up from the roof. Become your own ladder.
If you are separated from friends and relatives,
if you find yourself all alone,
become the King of the Auspicious Conjunction,*
acquainted with God’s friendship.
If you are separated from bread and water,
turn into the kind of bread
which gives power directly to hearts and souls.
*Refers to at least one Mughal king who claimed he was born under the auspicious conjunction of Jupiter and Venus.
Divan-i Kebir, Volume 18, Ghazal 189, verses 18821-1887, page 148.
How long will I be satisfied by the shapes and appearances of time?
How long will I watch and smell of existence?
I am tired of the materials and creatures of the present.
It is time to see that Beauty of Beauties.
But, when I look at Him, I see my image.
When I look at my image, I see His.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai #2, page 316.
The Beloved’s heart is burning for me.
Its flame has turned the Earth’s harvest into ashes.
A candle put a fire in the heart of this slave,
such a candle that it has made a soul of iron and stone
melt like a candle. Continue reading “Fire (3/14/2021)”