Jalal al-Din Rumi - What do I know?

 

 

 You ask me: What state are you in?—How do I know?
Which one are you? Where do you come from?—What do I know?

You ask: Which jar poured the wine
that has made you so drunk—How do I know?

You ask: What's he got in his lips
that has sweetened your tongue?—How do I know?

You ask: Why aren't life and youth
enough for you?—How do I know?

In his face I saw a fire
like the Water of Life. What do I know?

If I am you, then who are you?
Is this you, or are you that? How do I know?

Thoughts like these: Who am I?
You are the beloved soul, what do I know?

You tell me: You always stand around on the road,
what are you, a sentry?—How do I know?

Sometimes you turn me into a bow, sometimes an arrow.
Which are you, a bow or an arrow?—How do I know?

Happy the moment when you say: Should I give you life?
I'll say: You know best. How do I know?

When I'm impatient I say: Shams of Tabriz,
you're like this or like that. What do I know?


from: Say nothing
Poems of Jalal al-Din Rumi
Iraj Anvar & Anne Twitty