I'm all in a frenzy again
– that way, I swear by You.
I tear off the bonds You bind
me with, I swear by You.

I'm crazy enough
to tie up demons;
I speak to the birds,
I swear by You.

I don't want a fleeting life
– You are my precious life;
I don't want a gloomy soul
– You're, my soul, I swear by You,

When You hide from me,
I'm all darkness and unbelief;
When You reappear,
I'm a believer, I swear by You.

Drinking water from the jug,
I beheld the image of You,
Regretted every breath I took
without You, I swear by You,

If in the highest heaven without You,
I'm gloomy like a brooding cloud;
If in a rosegarden without You,
I'm in prison, I swear by You.

The sama' to my ear is Your Name;
That to my brain, Your cup –
Build, me up, for I am a ruin,
I swear by You.

In cloister or mosque,
You're my aim, O Guide;
Wherever You turn,
I turn, I swear by You.

Let me declare in love
that He is the lion and I the deer –
But a deer that guards lions! –
I swear by You.

Through love for Shams of Tabriz,
in keeping the nightly vigil,
I am a whirl like a dust devil,
I swear by You.


* Translated by Terry Graham from Rumi's "DIVAN-I SHAMS"




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