Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi 13th Century	About Jelaluddin Rumi Timeline (1207 - 1273)
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English version by Coleman Barks Original Language Persian/Farsi	[1246] The minute I heard my first love story
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Lover and Beloved   Sound         Recommended Books Delicious Laughter: Rambunctious Teaching Stories from the Mathnawi of Jelaluddin Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks East Window: Poems from Asia, Translated by W. S. Merwin The Essential Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks The Hand of Poetry: Five Mystic Poets of Persia, with Lectures by Inayat Khan, Translated by Coleman Barks Holy Fire: Nine Visionary Poets and the Quest for Enlightenment, Edited by Daniel Halpern More >>	The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.     -- from Open Secret: Versions of Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks / Translated by John Moyne Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

I really like this brief excerpt of a Rumi poem as rendered by Coleman Barks. Without wasting a word, it beautifully suggests the mystic realization that occurs with the recognition that the Beloved is already present within. Devotion suddenly collapses inward in self-fulfilment. There is no "I" and "Thou," only union.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
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