I AM NO LION
to overpower my enemies
winning over myself
if i can
is enough
though i'm of lowly earth
since i nourish a seed
named love
i'll grow
lilies of the field
when i'm pitch-black
lamenting separation
i know for sure
i will break through
spreading light on the dark night
i am on fire inside
but look grim outside
since i want to rise
like smoke through my cell
i am a child
whose teacher is love
surely my master
won't let me grow
to be a fool
~Rumi
"RUMI, Fountain of Fire", ghazal number 1523,
translated by Nader Khalili
