Gone to the Unseen







At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.


What marvelous route did you take from this world?






Beating your wings and feathers,


you broke free from this cage.


Rising up to the sky


you attained the world of the soul.


You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.


Then you heard the drummer's call


and flew beyond space and time.






As a lovesick nightingale, you flew among the owls.


Then came the scent of the rosegarden


and you flew off to meet the Rose.






The wine of this fleeting world


caused your head to ache.


Finally you joined the tavern of Eternity.


Like an arrow, you sped from the bow


and went straight for the bull's eye of bliss.






This phantom world gave you false signs


But you turned from the illusion


and journeyed to the land of truth.






You are now the Sun -


what need have you for a crown?


You have vanished from this world -


what need have you to tie your robe?






I've heard that you can barely see your soul.


But why look at all? -


yours is now the Soul of Souls!






O heart, what a wonderful bird you are.


Seeking divine heights,


Flapping your wings,


you smashed the pointed spears of your enemy.






The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -


You are the fearless rose


that grows amidst the freezing wind.






Pouring down like the rain of heaven


you fell upon the rooftop of this world.


Then you ran in every direction


and escaped through the drain spout . . .






Now the words are over


and the pain they bring is gone.


Now you have gone to rest


in the arms of the Beloved.










"Rumi - In the Arms of the Beloved",