"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there."

"The wound is the place where the Light enters you."

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.”

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi

****

Jalal ad-Din Muuhamma Rumi (b. 1207- d.1273) was a 13th century Persian poet and Islamic scholar.

What makes Rumi and his poetry particularly special is the fact that his poetry had always transcended ethnic borders; his work did not strictly belong to the Persians, but it became embraced by Muslims in Southern Asia, the Turks, and now, the West.

The following poems are my homage to the poet, whose poetry went beyond physical and metaphysical borders.

they are separated into thematic sections; of what I take from Rumi's poetry.

I. magic

poetic magic
spilled from him
even before
the moment
he knew
that he was bound to be a poet
before he knew
the true power
of words
and how they can
ignite the soul
aflame.

II. passion

he embraced it
while others cruelly
placed it
in bondage
and exiled it to the back
of their subconscious.

and when they read his words
suddenly
a revolution rumbled
deep within
and
suddenly
all they could feel is the warmth

and ecstasy
of passion's
sweetness.

III. healing

he says
let the light in
for it can heal
even the deepest wounds

but, one finds
that the light
is not just physical

it is in his words,
a catharsis
a release

IV. truth

in the light of his words
there is truth

of two people meeting each other
halfway;
egos colliding

but when they meet int he crossroads
of their differences

that is where they find
the commonalities

that fosters connection.

V. love

to him,
love is a wine;
an indulgence
but
not a sin

for it warms you
and saves you;
it is the warm
and calm sea
that gently envelops you

it just is.