Every soul becomes gold when touched by the Beloved . ~ Rumi

If a tree could run or fly 
it would not suffer 
from the teeth of a saw
or the blows of an axe.

If the Sun did not run across the sky
the world would not see
the colors of morning.

If water did not rise from the sea
plants would not be quickened
by rivers or rain.

It's only when a drop leaves the ocean
and returns that it can find an oyster
and become a pearl.

When Joseph left his father both were weeping
Didn't he gain a kingdom and a fortune in the end?

Didn't the Prophet gain the world and a hundred empires
by traveling to Medina?

But you have no need to go anywhere journey within yourself.
Enter a mine of rubies and bathe in the splendor of your own light.

O great one,
Journey from self to Self and find the mine of gold.

Leave behind what is sour and bitter
move toward what is sweet.

Be like the thousand different fruits
that grow from briny soil.

This is the miracle

Every tree becomes beautiful
when touched by sunlight;

Every soul becomes gold
when touched by the Beloved .

~ Rumi
Divane Shams-i Tabriz,
Ghazal 1042
translation by Scimmell