Heart and mind

Here, Sunlight offers Ghazal 609, from the Diwan-e Shams, in a
poetic translation by Nader Khalili:

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if you dwell very long
in a heart depressed and dark
be aware you've fallen low
in will and quest

a heart filled with grief
whirling and spinning endlessly
can never feel at peace

what makes you
tremble in fear
that's your true worth now

whatever seems to be
your healing source
is the cause of your pain

whatever you think
is sure secure and forever
is what has hunted you down

whenever your mind flies
it can only land
in the house of madness

whenever love arrives
there is no more space
for your self claim

a heart filled with love
is like a phoenix
that no cage can imprison

such a bird can only fly
above and beyond
any known universe

-- Translated by Nader Khalili
"Rumi, Fountain of Fire"
Burning Gate Press, Los Angeles, 1994

The image:
http://img.photojerk.com/oZKwFd.jpg

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Sunlight note: The "Divan-e Shams" is the "Collection of Shams", the
collection of Rumi's lyrical "Ghazals" (Odes), named for his great
friend, teacher, and inspiration, Shams of Tabriz. -- Sunlight Ed.

~

Heart and mind