what is this fragrance?
is it from heaven?
whose laughter is this?
is it Houris in paradise?
what wedding is this
with moon for a platter
and heaven for a veil?
what banquet is this
that the Sultan of Bagdad
licks the platters
in our kitchen?
God alone knows!
but come! take a pick-axe
and break apart
your stony self
the heart’s matrix
is glutted by rubies
springs of laughter
are buried in your breast
unstop the wine-jar,
batter down the door
to the treasury
of non-existence
the water in your jug
is brackish and low
smash the jug
and come to the river!
by Jelaluddin Rumi
from Rumi – Fragment & Ecstasies
Translation by Daniel Liebert
Omega Publications, 1981
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