"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

Ecstatic Motion

Currently listening to...

...the arresting, desperate "The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?)" by Snow Patrol. There is an urgent, pleading current that seems to careen toward inevitable loss that rips me up and makes me put this on repeat, as if it allows one to see ahead to the end, and one finally, regrettably, gloriously understands that there is no other ending to be had. We know how it ends: as Rumi said, "Enough of these phrases/ Conceit and metaphors/ I want burning, burning, burning." Do you know what I mean? Do you know what this song means? Do you know what your song means? It's important that you do...

What if this storm ends?
And I don't see you
As you are now
Ever again

The perfect halo
Of gold hair and lightning
Sets you off against
The planet's last dance

Just for a minute
The silver forked sky
Lit you up like a star
That I will follow

Now it's found us
Like I have found you
I don't want to run
Just overwhelm me

What if this storm ends?
And leaves us nothing
Except a memory
A distant echo

I want pinned down
I want unsettled
Rattle cage after cage
Until my blood boils

I want to see you
As you are now
Every single day
That I am living

Painted in flames
All peeling thunder
Be the lightning in me
That strikes relentless

http://www.snowpatrol.com/

...

"The wound is the place where the Light enters you."
--Rumi

Knock, knock, knocking...

“I have lived on the lip
of insanity, wanting to know reasons,
knocking on a door. It opens.
I’ve been knocking from the inside!”
--Jalaluddin Rumi


“Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.”
--Dogen

You'll Wake Up Laughing

"This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real.

Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing

at what you thought was your grief."

--Rumi

Not how we thought it was...

"When you eventually see through the veils to how things really are, you will keep saying again and again, 'This is certainly not like we thought it was.'"
-- Jalaluddin Rumi