i want to leave this town
but you've chained me down
stolen away my heart
leaving yourself behind
now i've lost my way
my soul restless and head twisted
all because of those secrets
you once whispered
i only must keep
fasting my heart
to set me free
from sleepless nights
since your only advice
when you saw me in flame
was to keep burning
with you or with your thoughts
words of wisdom
came to me at last
"the beloved you've lost
the one you've been seeking outside
can only be found inside"
Ghazal 2582, from the Diwan-e Shams
Translation by Nader Khalili
"Rumi, Fountain of Fire", Cal-Earth Press, 1995
