The Generations I Praise | Rumi Poem

This poem by Rumi hints at the timeless beauty of dawn and the deep connection between all generations. It points to the elemental forces, wind, fire, air and water, as carriers of a divine love, calling us to recognize a deeper spark within us all.

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

Photo by Samael Quek.
Translation by Coleman Barks.

Transcript

Yesterday, The beauty of early dawn came over me, And I wondered who my heart would reach toward. Then this morning again. And you. Who am I? Wind and fire and watery ground move me mightily, Because they're pregnant with love. Love pregnant with God. These are the early morning generations, I praise.