The Marginalian · People & society

Rumi's Poetry: An Antidote to Human Tragedy

Poet Rumi's work, particularly his emphasis on love, is presented as a way to overcome the human tendency to devalue what we have until it's lost. This is highlighted through a new translation of his poems.

Lisel Mueller's poem suggests that loss makes things precious, a concept Rumi also explored. The article argues that humans often cope with the fear of mortality by neglecting the preciousness of their relationships, only to realize their value when it's too late.

Rumi, an 800-year-old poet, advocated for embracing love fully, urging people to 'gamble everything for love.' His prolific work, nearly sixty-six thousand verses, is characterized by ecstatic devotion and a deep intelligence.

A new translation of Rumi's poetry, titled 'Gold' by Haleh Liza Gafori, aims to capture the essence of his work for contemporary English readers. Gafori notes the challenges in translating between Farsi and English due to differing poetic structures and conventions.

Gafori sought to honor the musicality and movement of Rumi's poetry while adapting it to modern American poetic sensibilities. She selected poems that are beautiful, meaningful, and relevant to contemporary times.

The translation is described as a 'second original,' successfully conveying Rumi's message. The article includes Rumi's poem 'LET’S LOVE EACH OTHER,' urging readers to cherish each other before loss occurs.

The poem directly addresses the reader, questioning why people often value the dead over the living and urging them to express affection while individuals are still alive, using the metaphor of kissing a face instead of a gravestone.

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