Meet Jalaluddin Rumi, a leading mystical poet of 12th century Persia and experience a heavenly dialogue.
Passage
To heaven approached a Sufi saint,
From groping in the darkness late,
And, tapping timidly and faint.
Besought admission at God’s gate.
Said God,
” Who seeks to enter here? ”
” ‘T is I, dear Friend,” the saint replied,
And trembled much with hope and fear.
” If it be thou, without abide.”
Sadly to earth the poor saint turned,
To bear the scourgings of life’s rods ;
But aye his heart within him yearned
To mix and lose its love in God’s.
He roamed alone through weary years,
By cruel men still scorned and mocked,
Until, from faith’s pure fires and tears,
Again he rose, and modest knocked.
Asked God,
” Who now is at the door ? ”
” It is thyself, beloved Lord ! ”
Answered the saint, in doubt no more,
But clasped and rapt in his reward.
William Rounseville Alger. Poetry of the Orient. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1883.
