Rumi: Ghazal 189 [Dance

Rumi: Ghazal 436 [The Fragrance of Thy Wine]

“Who knocks at my gate?” he queried with a voice clear. “Naught but a meek slave,” I returned, “Thy serf, ready to adhere.” “And what dost thou seek herein?” he pressed. “O luminary of night,” quoth I, “To proffer thee my best.” “How long wilt thou tarry?” he posed in query. “Till thou beckon,” was […]

Rumi: Ghazal 1197 [The Gown of Concord]

If fire be thy companion, then enter and blaze thou bright! In the Eve of Parting, like a taper burn ’til morning light! Thou bear’st the weight of contraries, yet harmony thou dost weave; When they rend thine attire, stitch thou the Gown of Concord to achieve. In harmony, flesh and spirit find the soul’s […]

Rumi: Ghazal 1317 [Weeping Eye]

Behold, the mock sovereign strides with pomp and steed, Laden and ponderous, in his gilded garment indeed. He spurns death and asks: “Whence comes destiny?” Death answers from all sides: “Behold, here I be.” Death says: “O fool, where is thy power and sheen, Thy wealth, thy pride, thy anger, thy scorn so keen? Where […]

Rumi: Ghazal 189 [Dance, Dance]

For sooth, the spring hath souls anew arrayed, Dance now, O branch, in tender verdure’s shade. As Joseph’s trek did sweeten Egypt’s glade, Begin thy dance, let joyfulness not fade. O king, by love’s own milk so sweetly reared, Advance, surge forth, as lion unfeared. Thou art thine father’s apple, so endeared, Join now […]