City of Love...by Rumi

I've travelled around
raced through every city
while i knew all along
no place could be found
like the city of love

If i could have known
to value what i owned
i would not have suffered
like a fool
the life of a vagabond

I've heard many tunes
all over the globe
all empty
as a kettledrum
except the music of love

It was the sound of
that hollow drum
that made me fall
from the heavens
to this mortal life

I used to soar
among souls
like a heart's flight
winglessly roaming and
celestially happy

I used to drink
like a flower that drinks
without lips or throat
of the wine that overflows
with laughter and joy

Suddenly
i was summoned by love
to prepare for a journey
to the temple of
suffering

I cried desperately
i begged and pleaded
and shredded my clothes
not to be sent
to this world

Just the way i fear now
going away
to the other world
i was frightened then
to make my descent

Love asked me to go
with no fear to be alone
promising to be close
everywhere i go
closer than my veins

Love threw its spell
its magic and allure
using coyness and charm
i was totally sold and
bought everything with joy

Who am i to resist
love's many tricks
and not to fall
while the whole world
takes love's bait

Love showed me
a path but then
lost me on the way
if i could have resisted
i would have found my way

I can show you my friend
surely how you can get there
but here and now
my pen has broken down
before telling you how...

~ Rumi
-- Ghazal (Ode) 1509
Translation by Nader Khalili
"Rumi, Fountain of Fire"
Burning Gate Press, Los Angeles, 1994.

Art by Leonid Afremov