“Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved” —Translation by Jonathan Star
Remember what I said. . . .
I said, Don’t leave, for I am your Friend.
In the mirage of this world
I am the fountain of life.
Even if you leave in anger
and stay away for a thousand years
You will return to me,
"Where is God?" by Rumi
I tried to find Him on the Christian cross,
but He was not there;
I went to the Temple of the Hindus and to the old pagoda,
but I could not find a trace of Him anywhere.
I searched the mountains and the valleys
but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I able to find Him.
“When Was I Less By Dying?” by Rumi
I died as a mineral and became a plant,
I died as plant and became animal,
I died as animal and I was human.
Why should I fear?
When was I less by dying?