Rumi
Rumi-nations
Published: 11/11/2020
By: Cory Pavlinac
You may have heard of Rumi or read some of his poetry. He lived in the ancient Persian world, way back in the 13th century. Born in Afghanistan as Jalāl al-Dīn, he later moved to Turkey and undertook his career as a religious scholar and teacher, taking over for his father after his death. His life and work up to this point were respectable and fairly standard, as that sort of thing goes until he encountered a wandering dervish or holy man who called himself Shams of Tabriz. This is where the life of Rumi, the mystical artist, began to emerge.
The two were inseparable, and their relationship caused some jealousy and strife for Rumi's students and family, who began to feel neglected. Rumi and Shams had an intense intellectual and spiritual connection, which lasted until Shams mysteriously disappeared, never to return. Rumi traveled to Damascus, bereft, in search of his lost friend. Some scholars believe Shams was the victim of an honor killing at the hands of Rumi's son; some say Shams left to continue his wandering lifestyle. Whatever the case, Shams had left his impression on the transformed Rumi, inspiring the creation of vast amounts of mystical poetry for the remainder of his life. (Biographical info culled from Rumi: Selected Poems, Penguin Books, translated by Coleman Barks and).
I have heard Rumi mentioned many times, first hearing his name in one of a dozen or so literature classes I took in college. But I had never actually read any of his poems. Recently, while listening to a podcast called On Being, the poet Mary Oliver was on as a guest and mentioned how much his poetry meant to her. I decided to finally get myself a copy of his poetry and dive in. His work is still pretty new to me, but it's already become something of a devotional in my day.
His words and lines are bare and humble in language but wild and zealous in their search for truth and the divine. His poems are filled with unanswered questions and admonishments for compassion and love for the lowlier parts of life. Reading him is a balm for the soul. But don't just take my word for it! (Also, Beyonce and Jay-Z named one of their daughters Rumi, so he's got to be pretty dope, right?)
Be Melting Snow
Totally conscious, and apropos of nothing, you come to see me.
Is someone here? I ask.
The moon. The full moon is inside your house.
My friends and I go running out into the street.
I'm in here, comes a voice from the house, but we aren't listening.
We're looking up at the sky.
My pet nightingale sobs like a drunk in the garden.
Ringdoves scatter with small cries, Where, Where.
It's midnight. The whole neighborhood is up and out
in the street thinking, The cat burglar has come back.
The actual thief is there too, saying out loud,
Yes, the cat burglar is somewhere in this crowd.
No one pays attention.
Lo, I am with you always means when you look for God,
God is in the look of your eyes,
in the thought of looking, nearer to you than your self,
or things that have happened to you
There's no need to go outside.
Be melting snow.
Wash yourself of yourself.
A white flower grows in quietness.
Let your tongue become that flower.
Thoughts
– Do you read poetry?
– Can you think of devotional activities or practices in your personal life that may or may not be "religious" or "spiritual" in nature?
– Do you think Rumi would be a better name for a cat, dog, child, or parakeet?
