Religion

Dependence

by Jalal al-Din Rumi 1207–1273

Translated by William Hastie, after Rückert's German (1903) · From The Festival of Spring (1903)

Religion

I am the Vine; Strong Elm, O give me leave,
All round thee my fond Tendrils now to weave.
I am the Ivy; be my Cedar Trunk,
That I no more to Earth's damp soil may cleave.
I am the Bird; O come, be my light Wings,
That soaring I yon azure Heaven retrieve.
I am the Steed; O come and be my spur,
That quick the Victor Goal may me receive.
I am the Rosebud; O be my own Rose,
That gaudy Earth-weeds ne'er my Heart deceive.
I am the East; then rise in me, O Sun,
Flame up in Light, and all my Pain relieve.
I am the Night; O be my Starry Crown,
That in Life's darkness I nor fear, nor grieve.

MLA

Rumi, Jalal al-Din. “Dependence.” Translated by William Hastie, after Rückert's German. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rumi/56/.

Chicago

Rumi, Jalal al-Din. “Dependence.” Translated by William Hastie, after Rückert's German. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rumi/56/.

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