The Reed Flute | Rumi Poem

In this poem by Rumi, the reed flute represents the soul’s separation from its source. Through that separation, it finds its voice and creates music, reflecting the journey of inner longing and expression.

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 Aswin Raj.
Translation by Coleman Barks.

Transcript

A craftsman pulled a reed from the reed bed,

Cut holes in it and called it a human being.

Since then it's been wailing a tender agony of parting,

Never mentioning the skill that gave it life as a flute.

Reviews

If our inner eye was ever open we would be nothing but gratitude for what we are here to experience 🙏💛

Thank you for this beautiful poem and music
💜🙏💜🕊️✨😊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️