Rumi 108

I was dead, became alive
Was tearful, laughingly thrive
With love survive, my only drive
    I have become eternal.

My eyes no longer seek
Am courageous, no more meek
Daring lion, far from weak
    Shine like Venus celestial.

Said, "madness is not thy code
You don’t deserve this abode."
With madness my life explode
    Chains before me break and fall.

"Intoxicated, thou art not
Art not from this divine cut."
I drank my senses out
    Joyously roamed in life’s hall.

"Thou art not yet slain
Joy runs not in thy vein."
Before life now I remain
    Slain, sacrificed and small.

"Thou art sly and cunning
Thy thoughts are wildly running."
My deception was stunning
    Then rejected the external.

Said, "Thou have been a candle light
Crowds focus upon thy sight."
Sight I am not, light without might
    Scattered smoke, wide and tall.

"Thou art guru and teacher
Thou art leader, head, preacher."
I am a mere creature
    Thy will is my only call.

"Thou have feathers, have taken wing
Feather and wing I did not bring."
In pursuit of flight of King
    Lost my feathers, now I crawl.

My beloved, old and fair
Said, "this story, me spare."
I agreed to not share
    Peaceful and eternal.

Thou art the sun’s source and spring
While to shade my body cling
Upon my head, hot rays sting
    I feel the heart infernal.

With light of my soul aglow
My heart opened with loving flow
Weaving a new cloth to show
    Against the tattered rags and all.

That divine face, at time of dawn
Many deceptions would spawn
Enslaved with a thorny crown
    Beloved upon throne install.

I, thy instrument, Thee praise
Thy infinite sweet phase
In my bosom came to raze
    And brought down my ignorant wall.

Praises Thee this drunken dust
Praise the stars and earth I must
Receive thy light with full trust
    From luminous orbiting ball.

The firmaments are in praise
Of lords, lands, angelic gaze
Gracefully love and amaze
    Compassionately, wisely, enthrall.

The wise praise the Lord well
Thus surpass all and excel
Upon the seven skies swell
    Give birth to light, maternal.

I am of Thee O famed moon,
Gazing at me do not swoon
Contagious joy in me bloom
    Laughs my every petal.

I was Venus, now am moon
Wallowing like a gloomy lune
Became Joseph very soon
    Pregnant with hope of renewal.

As if playing a game of chess
Make your call while speechless
King of the World my life will bless
    With a glance, existential.

From slavery to kingly might
From Venus to satellite
Was distant unknown point of light
    Am luminous orb of love, eternal!

Ó Shahriar Shahriari
Vancouver, Canada
June 15-21, 1998


 

Back Home Up Next

©   1998, Vancouver Canada, 1999 - 2005,  Los Angeles, CA
You may use any part presented herein for non-commercial purposes only, on the condition of giving full credit to the author and to this home page, including a hyperlink, if you wish to use these material over the Internet.