Rumi - "Listen to the reed"

Hear Listen to the reed

Listen to this reed forlorn,
Breathing, even since it was torn
From its rushy bed, a strain
Of impassioned love and pain.

"The secret of my song, though near,
None can see, none can hear.
Oh, for a friend to know the sign
And mingle all his soul with mine.

It's the flame of Love that fired me,
It's the wine of Love inspired me.
Would you learn how lovers bleed,
Then listen, listen to the reed!"

This is one of two poems by Mevlana - Jelaluddin Rumi - read by Bulent, from the soundtrack of the film "Turning". The translation is based on that by R.A. Nicholson in "Rumi - Poet and Mystic". Turning can now be obtained on DVD from Beshara Publications.

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