I feel jealous Of the green waves of the sea That insistently try to kiss your body, as you stand before the tides. I feel jealous Of the wind that betrays me Kissing you as you stand in the bow, And runs away through the deck. I feel jealous Of the light of the…
Baba Taher-The sorrow of your love
غم عشقت بیابون پرورم کرد هوای بخت بی بال و پرم کرد موكه سر در بيابو نم شب و روز سرشك از ديده بارا نم شب و روز Translation: The sorrow of your love has made me wander in deserts The fleeting illusion of happiness (with you) clipped my wings Day…
‘Attar – The Three Butterflies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjn3NZuCj38 Were all really three butterflies In the world of love, we are a legend The first came near the candle and said “I have found the meaning of love” The second fluttered its wing near the flame and said, “I’ve been burned by the fire of love” The third threw himself into the fire Yes,…
Rumi-Dancing Atoms
My translation: Arise oh day! The atoms are dancing! For him the spheres and wind are dancing Souls ecstatic with joy are dancing I’ll whisper in your ear where they are dancing Each atom in the wind or desert Is good-natured, like this, we are enchanted Each atom, whether happy or sad Is…
Rumi – I do not know myself
What is to be done, O Muslims? for I do not know myself. I am neither Christian, nor Jew, nor Magian, nor Muslim. I am not of the East, nor of the West, nor of the land, nor of the sea; I am not of Nature’s quarry, nor of the heaven circling above….
Quevedo-Love Constant Beyond Death
Amor Constante Mas Allá de la Muerte (Love Constant Beyond Death) By Francisco de Quevedo Translation by A.Z. Foreman That terminal shadow may with darkness seal my eyes shut when it steals white day from me, and in an instant, flattering the zeal of this my eager soul, let it go free. But on this…
Variations on a Theme: Emptiness
Love came and emptied me of self, Every vein and every pore, Made into a container to be filled by the Beloved. Of me, only a name is left, The rest is You my Friend, my Beloved. -Abu Sai’d Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian) from Nobody Son of Nobody. Hohm Press, 2001 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyn3rHLw3zY Turn…
Variations on a Theme: Heaven and Hell
My Beloved, this torture and pain I suffer because I am so addicted to Your Beauty. People ask me whether I prefer Your company to being in heaven. Heedless fools, what would heaven itself mean without the Friend’s Presence? -Abu Sa’id Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian) from Nobody Son of Nobody. Hohm Press, 2001 Selected…
Variations on a Theme: Alone with Love
In music and words… O my Lord, the stars glitter and the eyes of men are closed. Kings have locked their doors and each lover is alone with his love. Here, I am alone with you. -Rabi’a al-Basri (trans. Charles Upton) The lovers have all gone to bed And I’m alone…
Variations on a theme (with words and without)
With words: My Beloved don’t be heartless with me Your Presence is my only cure How can I be left with neither a heart nor my Beloved? Either give me back my heart, or do not deny me Your Presence -Abu Sai’d Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian) from Nobody Son of Nobody. Hohm Press, 2001 …