Subtle degrees of domination and servitude are what you know as love
but love is different it arrives complete just there like the moon in the window
like the sun of neither east nor west nor of anyplace
when that sun arrives east and west arrive
desire only that of which you have no hope seek only that of which you have no clue
love is the sea of not-being and there intellect drowns
this is not the Oxus River or some little creek this is the shoreless sea; here swimming ends always in drowning
a journey to the sea is horses and fodder and contrivance but at land’s end the footsteps vanish
you lift up your robe so as not to wet the hem; come! drown in this sea a thousand times
the moon passes over the ocean of non-being
droplets of spray tear loose and fall back on the cresting waves
a million galaxies are a little scum on that shoreless sea
“The Rumi Collection” Version by Daniel Liebert
Photo by Indigo Storm Photography |