“if your beloved
has the life of a fire
step in now and burn along
in a night full of
suffering and darkness
be a candle spreading light till dawn
stop this useless
argument and disharmony
show your sweetness and accord
even if you feel
torn to pieces
sew yourself new clothes
your body and soul
will surely feel the joy
when you simply go along
learn this lesson from
lute tambourine and trumpet
learn the harmony of the musicians
if one is playing a wrong note
even among twenty
others will stray out of tune
don’t say what is the use
of me alone being peaceful
when everyone is fighting
you’re not one
you’re a thousand
just light your lantern
since one live flame
is better than
a thousand dead souls”
— Rumi
Translation by Nader Khalili
“Rumi, Fountain of Fire”
Cal-Earth Press, 1994
