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Ghazal 110
Don’t worry about saving these songs!
And if one of our instruments breaks,
it doesn’t matter.
We have fallen into the place
where everything is music.
The strumming and the flute notes
rise into the atmosphere,
and even if the whole world’s harp
should burn up, there will still be
hidden instruments playing.
So the candle flickers and goes out.
We have a piece of flint, and a spark.
This singing-art is sea foam.
The graceful movements come from a pearl
somewhere on the ocean floor.
Poems reach up like the edge of driftwood
along the beach, wanting and wanting!
They derive
from a slow and powerful root
that we can’t see.
Stop the words now.
Open the window in the center of your chest,
and let the spirits fly in and out.
Version by Coleman Barks
"Like This"
Maypop, 1990
(Go ahead and) break our harp, O lofty one,
(For) thousands of other harps exist here!
Since we have fallen into the talons* of Love,
What (does it matter) to us (if) harp and reed-pipe are
scarce?!
Even if (all) the lutes and harps of the world are burned
up,
There is many a hidden harp (remaining), O friend!
The (sound of) strumming and melody has gone (up) to
the heavens,
Although it doesn't come into the ears of the deaf.
Even if (all) the lamps and candles of the world are put
out,
What sorrow (is that)!-- since (flint) stone and iron exist
very) securely!
Songs are (mere) straw (floating) on the sea;
No pearl will come to the surface of the ocean.
But know that the grace of the straw (is) from the pearl--
Whose reflected gleam is (also shining) upon us.
Songs are entirely (just) a branch of the yearning for union,
(And) branch and root are not at all equal.
(So) close your mouth and open the window of (your) heart,
And by that way be talkative with the spirits!
*talons/claws/clutches (chang): a pun, since this word also
means harp.
Translation of Rumi's Ode 110
by Ibrahim Gamard, 10/22/98
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