The moment you’re self-obsessed the beloved is like a thorn on your side 

The moment you’re egoless there’s no need for the beloved

The moment you’re self-obsessed you’re the target for the mosquito

The moment you’re egoless the elephant is your ground zero 

The moment you’re self-obsessed you’re a cloud of sorrow

The moment you’re egoless the moon will be within a stone's throw

The moment you’re self-obsessed the beloved pulls away 

The moment you’re egoless the wine of the beloved shall purvey 

The moment you’re self-obsessed you’re depressed like fall

The moment you’re egoless your winter becomes spring eternal

All the chaos you experience is for the sake of seeking peace

Become a passionate seeker so that you can escape the abyss

Fall in love with the beloved’s malice, and not their compassion

So that your sweetheart shall embrace you with great passion




Ghazal 323

Rumi

Translated by : Anahita Ghaffari