Showing posts with label An Egypt That Doesn't Exist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label An Egypt That Doesn't Exist. Show all posts
Thursday, October 13, 2016
"An Egypt That Doesn't Exist" by Rumi
An Egypt That Doesn’t Exist
by Rumi
I want to say words that flame
as I say them, but I keep quiet and don’t try
to make both worlds fit in one mouthful.
I keep secret in myself an Egypt
that doesn’t exist.
Is that good or bad? I don’t know.
For years I gave away sexual love
with my eyes. Now I don’t.
I’m not in any one place. I don’t have a name
for what I gave away. Whatever Shams
gave, that you can have from me.
--Translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne
by Rumi
I want to say words that flame
as I say them, but I keep quiet and don’t try
to make both worlds fit in one mouthful.
I keep secret in myself an Egypt
that doesn’t exist.
Is that good or bad? I don’t know.
For years I gave away sexual love
with my eyes. Now I don’t.
I’m not in any one place. I don’t have a name
for what I gave away. Whatever Shams
gave, that you can have from me.
--Translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne
Labels:
An Egypt That Doesn't Exist,
mystical,
poet,
poetry,
Rumi
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