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SFG75 · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject: Sufi poetry

This sect of Islam is the most intriguing to me. It is one that I would investigate with greater interest if I was in a much larger city, but alas, I don't have that opportunity. With that being said, the Sufi mystics have some excellent work that is just amazing to me and has left me in wonder every time I read them.

Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving,
it doesn't matter.
Ours is a caravan of endless joy.
Even if you've broken your vows a hundred times-
Come, come, yet again come!.
-Jalaluddin Rumi

To me, this symbolizes that imperfection is recognized and accepted, but that one can progress past this state but not focusing on it. Too many times in the past, I've noticed more than a few christian sects focused on these minor details to the point of fixation. I believe this Sufi proverb ha the formula right. You are flawed-but follow.

I cried, and I burned in that cry.
I kept silent, and I burned in that silence.
Then I stayed away from extremes-
I went right down the middle,
And I burned in that middle.

To me, this symbolizes how one's impulses and feelings towards the "other" stays with them no matter what. Perhaps we are tormented with our own problems no matter what. In reading this, I find it very profound, yet I can't express in words a coherent interpretation of this poem, let alone what it means to me, other than the fact that it's mightily impressive.

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