How Can You Look for the Unknown? (3/17/2024)

How Can You Look for the Unknown? (3/17/2024)

O heart, what kind of stories, what kind of adventures

are you looking for?

O heart, if you are looking for Me,

don’t you know that I am with you?

If you haven’t seen Me,

how can you look for the unknown, the unseen?

If you have seen Me, why are you still looking?

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 4, page 433.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, the Ergin Translations (pub.2024), Volume 3, Rubai 1100.

How Could I Ever Forget? (3/3/2024)

How Could I Ever Forget? (3/3/2024)

O One who reminded me last night,

reminded me of that moment of exuberance,

reminded me of the forgotten treasure!

How could I ever forget such a blessing?

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 1, page 424.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub.2024), Volume 3, rubai 1090.

Not Out There (2/4/2024)

Not Out There (2/4/2024)

Sometimes you get tired of living with His sorrow

and so you reject life.

Sometimes you tell His story with the ache in your heart.

Why are you turning so dizzily around the world?

The One whom you search for

is not out there, but inside of you.

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 2, page 471.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations, Rubai 1077, Volume 3 (apprx.pub.spring2024).

On the Way to the Beloved’s Love (1/21/2024)

On the Way to the Beloved’s Love (1/21/2024)

You won’t taste ecstasy as long as you are sober.

You won’t know the soul if you stay in your body.

You will never reach the Truth

if you are not annihilated

like fire and water mixed together

on the way to the Beloved’s Love.

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 2, page 450.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (ApprxPubSpring2024), Rubai 1083, Volume 3.

If I were to become Him (1/7/2024)

If I were to become Him (1/7/2024)

I am not Me.

And, if I were to become Me for even a moment,

I would crush this world to pieces.

If I were to merge with the One who took my heart,

if I were to become Him,

like a tree, I would uproot myself from this world.

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 4, page 486.

The Rubailer of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub.spring2024) Volume 3, Rubai 1081.

In Every Prayer Niche and Alter (12/24/2023)

In Every Prayer Niche and Alter (12/24/2023)

There is a spark and warmth from Your Love

in everyone’s heart.

Your trace, the tears of Your longing

are in every prayer niche and alter.

I need a long night and beautiful moonlight to tell You

about all my troubles and sufferings caused by Love.

Rubailar (2016), Rubai 3, page 432.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pubsummer2024), Rubai 1084, Volume 3.

Worth Less Than a Small Coin (12/10/2023)

Worth Less Than a Small Coin (12/10/2023)

Leave to others the endless job

of the improvement of this Earth.

This whole world

is worth less than a ruined caravanserai,*

less than a small coin,

less even than a grain of barley.

*A roadside inn along a caravan route.

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 2, page 441.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (pubwinter2024), Rubai 1079, Volume 3.

Sweets Will Be Served (11/26/2023)

Sweets Will Be Served (11/26/2023)

When Absence adds Soul to your soul,

you will get morsels from Absence,

and you will chew them with pleasure.

Neither kitchen nor cook will appear.

But, plate after plate of sweets will be served to you.

The Rubailer (2016), Rubai 1, page 455.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (ApprxPubWinter2024), Rubai 1067, Volume 3.

Nothing but Longing (11/12/2023)

Nothing but Longing (11/12/2023)

My life has become nothing but longing.

O Beloved, what beauty, what charm is that?

I don’t clap my hands unless You are the musician.

I don’t drink wine unless You are the cupbearer.

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 4, page 490.

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (ApprxPubWinter2024), Rubai 1057, Volume 3.

One Day (10/29/2023)

One Day (10/29/2023)

One day, your heart will take you

to the One who has caught your heart.

One day, your soul will take you to the Beloved.

Don’t let go of the hem of the robe of your pain.

One day, your pain will take you to the remedy.

Rubailer (2016), Rubai 1, page 494

The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub.fall2023), Rubai 1056, Volume 2.