Rumi's Reed Poem

The Reed Poem

by

Jalaluddine RUMI

1. Listen to this reed how it complains:
it is telling a tale of separations.

2. Saying, "Ever since I was parted from the reed-bed,
man and woman have moaned in unison with my lament.

3. I want a bosom torn by severance,
that I may unfold (to such a one) the pain of love-desire.

4. Every one who is left far from his source
wishes back the time when he was united with it.

5. In every company I uttered my wailful notes,
I consorted with the unhappy and with them that rejoice.

6. Every one became my friend from his own opinion;
none sought out my secrets from within me.

7. My secret is not far from my plaint,
but ear and eye lack the light, whereby it should be apprehended.

8. Body is not veiled from soul, nor soul from body,
yet none is permitted to see the soul."

9. This noise of the reed is fire, it is not wind:
whoso hath not this fire, may he be naught!

translation by R Nicholson, 1926