Poetry is to Music as Lyric is to Soul

By Shams-i-Heartsong - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Poetry

Sunday, November 12, 2006

These spiritual window-shoppers - Rumi

These spiritual window-shoppers, who idly ask, 'How much is that?' Oh, I'm just looking. They handle a hundred items and put them down, shadows with no capital. What is spent is love and two eyes wet with weeping. But these walk into a shop, and their whole lives pass suddenly in that moment, in that shop. Where did you go? "Nowhere." What did you have to eat? "Nothing much." Even if you don't know what you want, buy _something,_ to be part of the exchanging flow. Start a huge, foolish project,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 3:42 AM | add or view comments (2) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, November 10, 2006

The Breeze at Dawn

Every morning, play your organon, like this! Yes, my beauty! like this, like this! Leave your harp next to Venus, O my moon! enter, stamping your feet joyfully, like this! When the crowd asks for fragrant musk; Untie your hair [in a dance], like this. If the firmament turns against your will, for one instance; It is the day of assembly, O love hold my hand! And guide me to the royal celebration, like this. (Divan 1953:3-6) Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz, 'Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 12:17 AM | add or view comments (6) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, November 9, 2006

I arrived once again -Rumi and Me

I arrived once again, like the spring breeze; I rose like the sun visible to all. I am the Sun in mid-summer, contrary to the old season; I have brought liveliness and joy to gardens. A thousand ring doves are searching for me in their songs. A thousand nightingales and parrots are flying in my directions. The news of my arrival reached the fish in the sea; The ferment of the sea created a thousand waves. (Divan 1140:1-4) Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz, 'Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 3:31 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Election Day

Election Day The people want to say To those who serve and govern, "This is where we live And about these things, we do care." America, America, God shed His Grace on Thee. Will the people say No to war? No to povery? Yes to life? Yes to human right And dignity? Or Will we go on sleeping? © 2006 ShamsuddinJim Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 4:36 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Sunday, November 5, 2006

Silence - Rumi

Stop talking! What a shame you have no familiarity with inner silence! Polish your heart for a day or two: make that mirror your book of contemplation. -Mathnawi [VI, 1286-1287] From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996. By arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston, www.shambhala.com My Poem Words, Words, Words, And yet more words. When will you let them go? Surrender to the Silence! Shamsuddin says: Shut up and join me... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 10:22 AM | add or view comments (2) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, November 4, 2006

Pilgrims - Rumi

O pilgrims to the Ka'bah! Where are you? Where are you? The beloved is right here, come back! Your beloved is residing next door; What are you searching, confused, in the desert? If you see the formless manifestation of the beloved's form You will be the master, the house, and the Ka'bah yourself. Ten times you reached that house [Ka'bah] through the same route; Just once climb up the roof of this house [your soul]. (Divan 648:1-4) Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz, 'Reading Mystical Lyric: The... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 3:07 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, November 3, 2006

If anyone asks you about the moon

If anyone asks you about the huris, show your face, say: like this! If anyone asks you about the moon, climb up on the roof, say: like this! If anyone seeks a fairy, let them see your countenance, If anyone asks about the aroma of musk, untie your hair [and] say: like this! If anyone asks: 'How do the clouds uncover the moon?' untie the front of your robe, knot by knot, say: like this! If anyone asks: 'How did Jesus raise the dead?' kiss me on the lips, say: like this! If anyone asks: 'What are... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 9:18 AM | add or view comments (1) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, November 2, 2006

Invitation to submit poem to International Whos Who in Poetry

I have been invited to submit a poem and bio to whos who in international poetry. As many of you know this is more a marketing gimmic than it is an honor. However, if I could submit a poem that I really love, I would do it AND buy a copy ($50.00). Anyone want to contribute to my buy a copy fund? (alternatively, you can just click on me a lot this month so I can afford to buy a copy) At any rate, here is the poem that I am submitting: Keep Your Kudos to Yourself When you feel like admiring my... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 4:36 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

O God! give musicians sweet honey!

O God! give musicians sweet honey! To play the drum, give them tireless hands! They give their physical strength [to play] for love; Give them true strength in return. They fill my ear with your message; Give their fortune to hundred eyes to see the king! Like pigeons they coo in love; Give them the safe sanctuary of your kindness. They sharpen the intellect with your praise; You, too, praise them in return. (Divan 2342:1-5) Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz, 'Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 5:11 AM | add or view comments (1) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, October 30, 2006

The way home - Rumi

You who have invited me to your house! lead the way! I am so bewildered, I do not know the way home. You who have enchanted the city and the village alike! Where is the house? show it to me! I do not know the way home. How do you expect knowledge, of the one who is not even alive? Come forward! do not hurt me anymore! I do not know the way home. O glorious musician! play your drum with your hands Play this tune to my heart's content: I do not know the way home. (Divan 1465:1-3, 6) Translated by... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 10:52 PM | add or view comments (0) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Apologies, my blogging friends ... I ran out of time

Yesterday, my intention was to write a poem in response to Rumi's inspired words, but I ran out of time and had to get to work (raising money for the Dems). If you look back now, I am creating the poem as an edit to the entry. It may or may not be done... you decide. Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 10:42 PM | add or view comments (1) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

A New Rule Rumi

A New Rule It is the rule with drunkards to fall upon each other, to quarrel, become violent, and make a scene. The lover is even worse than a drunkard. I will tell you what love is: to enter a mine of gold. And what is that gold? The lover is a king above all kings, unafraid of death, not at all interested in a golden crown. The dervish has a pearl concealed under his patched cloak. Why should he go begging door to door? Last night that moon came along, drunk, dropping clothes in the street.... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 1:07 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, October 27, 2006

Clap your hands - Rumi

It is the rainy season, I dig a canal; In the hope of union I clap my hands. The clouds are pregnant with drops from the sea of love; I am pregnant with those clouds. Don't say you are not a musician, clap your hands! Come! I will teach you to become one. So bright! will you tell me whose house is that? I love bright houses so! Alas I hide my own water of life As oil drops cover the surface of water. Rumi - (Divan 1672) Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz, 'Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of Jalal... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 9:17 AM | add or view comments (2) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Rumi - Poetry like bread

My poetry is like Egyptian bread; You cannot eat it, if it is a night old. Eat it when it is still fresh- Before the dust [of time] settles on it! The warm land of the mind is its abode In this world, it dies of cold. Like fish, it can live on land but for a moment; The next, you will see it devoid of life's warmth. (Divan 981:1-4) Translated by Fatemeh Keshavarz, 'Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi', University of South Carolina Press, 1998. My Poem These words are life To... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 7:45 PM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, October 23, 2006

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise, bismillah, bismillah. Five minutes alone with The Silence, It is enough! I remember my only purpose for this new day. Five minutes with You, Beloved Lord, It is enough! I remember Who I want to serve. Five minutes in Your Light, Allah, It is enough! I remember who We Are. Five minutes in your Love, Oh Holy, It is enough! I remember now! © 2006 Shamsuddin Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Shams-i-Heartsong at 5:39 AM | add or view comments (0) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

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