Longing

The mundanities of life seem to be taking me further and further away from my center. Rumi's love poems to God help me to remember why I am here. How can words that were written more than 700 years ago resonate so deeply with me today?

I loaned out my "Essential Rumi" book, but fortunately found an extraordinary reading by the author Coleman Banks on you tube.

It's worth the time it takes to watch and listen here.

Below are the words.

Like This

Rumi, translated by Coleman Banks

If anyone asks you

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 night sky, climb up on the roof

and dance and say,

Like this?

If anyone wants to know what "spirit"

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.

Like this?

If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,

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.

If someone asks how tall I am, frown

and measure with your fingers the space

between the creases on your forehead.

This tall.

The soul sometimes leaves the body, then returns.

When someone doesn't believe that,

walk back into my house.

Like this.

When lovers moan,

they're telling our story.

Like this.

I am sky where spirits live.

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.

How did Joseph's scent come to Jacob?

Huuuu.

How did Jacob's sight return?

Huuu.

A little wind cleans the eyes.

Like this.

Let the Beauty We Love 

Rumi, translated by Coleman Banks

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty


and frightened. 

Don’t open the door to the study 

and begin reading.  Take down a musical instrument.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground’