“Like this,”

Mawlana Rumi

If anyone asks you
how the perfect satisfaction
of all our longing and desire
will look, lift your face
and say,
like this

When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the nightsky, climb up on the roof
and dance, and say,
like this?

If anyone wants to know what ‘spirit’ is,
or what ‘God’s fragrance’ means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close.
like this

When someone brings up that old poetic image
of clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
slowly loosen, knot by knot the strings
of your robe.

like this?

If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
Don’t try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this.

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

If someone asks how tall I am, frown
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.

This tall.

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

When lovers moan,
they’re telling our story.
Like this.

I am a sky where spirits live.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Like this

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

How did Joseph’s scent come to Jacob?
“Huuuuu”

How did Jacob’s sight return?
“Huuuuu”

When Shams comes back from Tabriz,
he’ll put just his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us
Like this.

— Taken from the John Moyne translation/Coleman Barks interpretation. The editor of Sufi Poetry has made a few small refinements to the Barks version in light of the original Farsi version of this poem (this would not have been possible without the help, passion for Mawlana, and friendship of M.H., thank you — Y.M.).