~~ Like This ~~
Rumi's Poetry
Yesterday I had read Reflector's blog 'The Naked Dress'.
It somehow reminded me of a mystical love poem by
Sufi Saint poet Rumi titled 'Like This'.
In the video (05:30min) posted here the poem
has been set to Anoushka Shankar's music 'Prayer In Passing' and
various paintings by Pre-Rapahaelite artists.
This is especially for Reflector:
Like This
The poem has been translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne in 'The Essential Rumi'.
The Poem:
If anyone asks you
how the perfect satisfaction
of all our sexual wanting
will look, lift your face
and say,
how the perfect satisfaction
of all our sexual wanting
will look, lift your face
and say,
Like this.
When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the nightsky, climb up on the roof
and dance and say,
of the nightsky, climb up on the roof
and dance and say,
Like this.
If anyone wants to know what "spirit" is,
or what "God’s fragrance" means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close
or what "God’s fragrance" means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close
Like this.
When someone quotes the old poetic image
about clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe.
about clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe.
Like this.
If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
don’t try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
don’t try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this.
When someone asks what it means
to "die for love," point here.
to "die for love," point here.
If someone asks how tall I am, frown
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.
This tall.
The soul sometimes leaves the body, the returns.
When someone doesn’t believe that,
walk back into my house.
When someone doesn’t believe that,
walk back into my house.
Like this.
When lovers moan,
they’re telling our story.
they’re telling our story.
Like this.
I am a sky where spirits live.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Like this.
When someone asks what there is to do,
light the candle in his hand.
Like this.
light the candle in his hand.
Like this.
How did Joseph’s scent come to Jacob?
Huuuuu.
How did Jacob’s sight return?
Huuuu.
A little wind cleans the eyes.
Like this.
When Shams comes back from Tabriz,
he’ll put just his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us
he’ll put just his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us
Like this.
--- Jalaluddin Rumi
[P.S. I don't really understand the many references made in the poem; I don't claim to understand mystical poetry or sufi thoughts. Just that I liked the video I discovered while browsing Rumi's poetry on YouTube; I had saved it here some time back. Reflector's poem made me share this. Enjoy the music and poetry!! ]
[Video Courtesy: YouTube; Poetry Courtesy: Website/Coleman Barks; Pic Courtesy: Website]
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