I want to talk today about the connection between poetry and music, song and spirit. Which is to say, I want to talk about Rumi. Rumi was a sufi poet who lived in 13th century Persia. He is known throughout the world still to this day for his Love Poems and his poems meditating on the deep mysteries of the world, the afterworld, the human spirit. I had never really appreciated Rumi before I heard his poetry read by Coleman Barks — the premiere English translator of his works. And this is because Coleman delivers it (as he says in the video) in the way Rumi would have centuries ago. To music:
Love Dogs
One night a man was crying Allah! Allah!
His lips grew sweet with praising,
until a cynic said, “So!
I’ve heard you calling our, but have you ever
gotten any response?”
The man had no answer to that.
He quit praying and fell into a confused sleep.
He dreamed he saw Khidr, the guide of souls,
in a thick, green foliage.
“Why did you stop praising?” “Because
I’ve never heard anything back.”
“This longing you express
is the return message.”
The grief you cry out from
draws you toward union.
Your pure sadness
that wants help
is the secret cup.
Listen to the moan of a dog for its master.
That whining is the connection.
There are love dogs
no one knows the names of.
Give your life
to be one of them.
–Rumi
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