if you are a man of this life
then march on this path like a man
or retire and take refuge in your house
since you're not ready for this battle
real men drank a thousand seas and
still died of thirst
you only had a cup
yet boasted of overflowing
you claimed to reach your quest
you'll raise all the dust
yet you've traveled no distance
you've left no mark
now humbly turn to dust
under the gallop of real men
then you'll rise and
become a part of their journey
if you crawl for years
on the path of your quest
do not yield to grief
do not submit to distress
Ode (Ghazal) 3277
Translated by Nader Khalili
Rumi: Fountain of Fire
Cal-Earth Press, 1994
