Poetry Break

From "Like This" Pg. 136 from The Essential Rumi
translated by Coleman Barks --


When someone quotes the old poetic image
about clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe.
Like this?

. . .

When someone asks what it means
to "die for love," point
here.

. . .

The soul sometimes leaves the body, then returns.
When someone doesn't' believe that,
walk back into my house.
Like this.

. . .

When someone asks what there is to do,
light the candle in his hand.
Like this.