My dear heart
you’re a fire worshiper
an explosive in flame
call on the cupbearer
to sprinkle the wine on you
to soothe your burn with water
that special cupbearer
the same one who sizzles
lives with wine and lips with kisses
the one who first calmed my mind
gave me a cup of fiery wine
and took me to a secret house
in that special house
dwelled a precious sweetheart
who offered me a choice
a tray full of gold
a tray full of flame
a few words i was told
this gold is soaked with fire
this fire is filled with gold
if you choose fire you’ll end up with gold
if you choose the burden of gold
you’ll lay heavy and cold
take the fire of the beloved and leap with joy
Rumi
— Translation by Nader Khalili
