| Arberry: For a moment lay your cheek on the cheek of this drunkard, for a moment put behind your war and cruelty. If it be hard, I bring out silver in my hand; put in this hand wine like gold. You who have opened the doors of the seven heavens, lay the hand of generosity on my fettered heart. All I have to offer is not-being; give the nickname of being to my not-being. You are both breaker and binder of the broken; lay the balm of the soul on my broken head. Do not put a seal on that sugar and pistachio nut; lay everlasting love upon this servant. I have told you fifty times, O heart: do not hunt, put your foot in this net. Translation by A. J. Arberry "Mystical Poems of Rumi 2" |
| Rumi poetry |
| An example of two poetic interpretations by Barks and Helminski based on Arberry's literal translation |
| Helminski: Rest your cheek, for a moment, on this drunken cheek. Let me forget the war and cruelty inside myself. I hold these silver coins in my hand; give me Your wine of golden light. You have opened the seven doors of heaven; now lay Your hand generously on my tightened heart. All I have to offer is this illusion, my self. Give it a nickname at least that is real. Only you can restore what You have broken; help my broken head. I�m not asking for some sweet pistachio candy, but Your everlasting love. Fifty times I�ve said, "Heart, stop hunting and step into this net." Kabir Helminski "Love is a Stranger" |
| Barks Put your cheek against this drunken cheek. Forget anger and men planning war. When I hold out silver coins, take them, and give me a cup of liquid full of gold light. You can open the wide door of the sky. Surely you will open me. All I have is this emptiness. Give it a nickname. Breaker and healer, break and heal this head. Don�t press your seal to that pistachio nut. Put it here. There is that in me that has to be told fifty times a day: Stop hunting. Step on this net. Coleman Barks "Open Secret" |
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