Rūmī was a thirteenth century poet, theologian and mystic. By his mid 20’s he had become an accomplished and highly influential figure in the community. However, a chance meeting with an eccentric dervish by the name of Shams Tabrīz, who was in search of a master student, would cause him to walk away from his life of privilege forever. And the world would never be the same.
POEM
All day I think about it,
then at night I say it.
Where did I come from,
and what am I supposed to be doing?
I have no idea.
My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that,
and I intend to end up there.
This drunkenness began in some other tavern.
When I get back around to that place,
I'll be completely sober.
Meanwhile,
I'm like a bird from another continent,
sitting in this aviary.
The day is coming when I fly off,
but who is it now in my ear who hears my voice?
Who says words with my mouth?
Who looks out with my eyes?
What is the soul?
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord,
and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.
This poetry, I never know what I'm going to say.
I don't plan it.
When I'm outside the saying of it,
I get very quiet and rarely speak at all.
Shams Trabrizi,
If I could see your face again
I could flee the imposition
of this life
Translated & recited by: Coleman Barks
Footage:
A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire 1905
Producer unknown
Archival film materials from the collections of the Library of Congress
Music:
Claire De Lune / Composers: Brandenburg, Helmuth Debussy, Claude
A Four Seasons Production - www.4spFilm.com