INNER SUNRISE

If I were the plaything of every thought
I'd be a fool, not a wise man.
If the Sun of Love was not my own
I'd be mournful like Saturn,
Rising and falling in the night sky.

If I were not guided by the fragrance of Love's City
I'd have followed dark spirits
Into the endless desert of greed.

If the soul's light had to stay inside its house
I'd open every door and window!

If the garden of the soul
Did not comfort those in pain
I could not carry Love's message
On the east wind.

If lovers were not addicted to music and dancing
Why would I sing all day and night
Like a wailing flute?

If the Saaqi's weight-giving wine
Had been kept from my mouth
I'd be like the thin lip of a cup!

If the Garden had no leaves or shade
I'd be rootless
Like the fortune-trees of deceitful men.

If God's servants were not upon the earth
I'd have fallen into the sin
and folly of this world.

If there was no way from the grave to paradise
I could not behold the joyful heavens
in this body.

If there was no road from East to West
I would not be dancing through the garden
With the North and South winds!

If the Abundant Garden did not grow
my soul would never blossom.
If God's grace were not with me
I'd be a babbling fool!

Go within.
Hear the story of sunrise from the Sun itself.
If there were no sunrise within
I would have set long ago!

(Rumi)

'In the Arms of the Beloved' Translations by Jonathan Star