If I could have known to value what I owned
i've travelled around
raced through every city
while i knew all along
no place could be found
like the city of love
if i could have known
to value what i owned
i would not have suffered
like a fool
the life of a vagabond
i've heard many tunes
all over the globe
all empty
as a kettledrum
except the music of love
it was the sound of
that hollow drum
that made me fall
from the heavens
to this mortal life
i used to soar
among souls
like a heart's flight
winglessly roaming and
celestially happy
i used to drink
like a flower that drinks
without lips or throat
of the wine that overflows
with laughter and joy
suddenly
i was summoned by love
to prepare for a journey
to the temple of
suffering
i cried desperately
i begged and pleaded
and shredded my clothes
not to be sent
to this world
just the way i fear now
going away
to the other world
i was frightened then
to make my descent
love asked me to go
with no fear to be alone
promising to be close
everywhere i go
closer than my veins
love threw its spell
its magic and allure
using coyness and charm
i was totally sold and
bought everything with joy
who am i to resist
love's many tricks
and not to fall
while the whole world
takes love's bait
love showed me
a path but then
lost me on the way
if i could have resisted
i would have found my way
i can show you my friend
surely how you can get there
but here and now
my pen has broken down
before telling you how
Ghazal (Ode) 1509
Translation by Nader Khalili
"Rumi, Fountain of Fire"
Burning Gate Press, Los Angeles, 1994.
