Translated from Persian into English by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin, this collection of poems by poet and Islamic scholar Rumi deserves a high rating and a place in my heart.
There's no chronological order, no extensive prose, or commercial love.
Every turn of a page brings a short, heartfelt rumination on the universal experiences of love, loss, and spirituality. The serene tone throughout provides a sense of intimacy, making every poem a sweet and unhurried read.
Being a teenager, especially now instead of previous decades (I imagine), is growing up in a world where there are more things to be influenced by and vulnerable to. More rabbit holes to fall down. Following trends. Of course, there are so many variables to consider, but I make my point. Being a teenager is changing physically, mentally, and spiritually. This book makes a great companion for the process, at least to me.
I was given this book a couple of years ago, I think, and my dad told me to read it. We were in a bookstore, and he just purchased it for me. I never bothered to read the contents until recently. The book was squeezed between various other books, collecting dust on my shelf. I simply used it as a placeholder to make sure my collection of books had no gaps in between. One day, the book happened to go missing. A few weeks later, I just happened to find it in my room. I skimmed the pages, and back to the same shelf it was before. Maybe that was a sign.
I didn't dislike the book, no. I just wasn't interested in it at the time. I don't regret not reading it earlier actually. I believe that it certainly would've been better to read it earlier, but I'm in the present, and I know what the book is now fortunately. There's no changing that.
On a date I can't recall, I remember the memory of getting the book, and that acts as motivation for me to search for and grab the book from the shelf. The back reads:
Imitating others,
I failed to find myself
I looked inside and discovered
I only knew my name.
When I stepped outside
I found my real Self.
I don't remember what I was thinking when I first read this. I was tired, and it was late in the night. So I kept flipping through pages. I didn't achieve Nirvana, unfortunately. However, incorporating the meanings into my broader worldview, situation, and interactions helps my all-so-changing identity.
Poems aren't for everyone. Philosophy isn't for everyone. But this book presents itself modestly, and for curious people, I suggest that one day, if you come across this book, try to dip your toes in its warm waters.
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