The Sunrise Ruby | Rumi Poem

Here's a wonderful poem by the great Rumi. For your enjoyment and contemplation.

Mawlana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi, popularly known as "Rumi", is a 13th-century Sufi poet. Today, he is recognized as one of the greatest poets who ever lived, due in part to how his words seem to speak to the divine.

Translation by Coleman Barks.

Royalty-free music by Danielyan Ashot Makichevich on Pixabay.

Transcript

In the early morning hour,

Just before dawn,

Lover and beloved wake and take a drink of water.

He asks,

Do you love me or yourself more?

Really,

Tell the absolute truth.

He says,

There's nothing left of me.

I'm like a ruby held up to the sunrise.

Is it still a stone or a world made of redness?

It has no resistance to sunlight.

This is how Elijah said,

I am God and told the truth.

The ruby and the sunrise are one.

Be courageous and discipline yourself.

Completely become hearing and ear.

And wear this sun ruby as an earring.

Work,

Keep digging your well.

Don't think about getting off from work.

Water is there somewhere.

Submit to a daily practice.

Your loyalty to that is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking and the joy inside will eventually open a window and look out to see who is there.