A Rumi Valentine 2012: Poems of Love

Translations, stories and commentary by Dr. Ali Arsanjani MUM Library North Lounge February 14, 2012, 7:30 pm 'On Valentine ’s Day we celebrate love, lover and Beloved with stories and poems from Rumi, the mystical Master Poet of Love. Music, slides, stories and poetry will mix to help us more richly experience Rumi’s ecstatic spontaneous poetry of Life, Joy and Love, painting the colors of love’s spectrum with the rainbow of Rumi’s words. Dr. Ali Arsanjani will be reading translations of Rumi's poetry, recounting stories of Rumi and providing commentary on the poetry with insight into the Sufi traditions and poetic implications behind the hidden meanings. Here are some of the titles of the poems we will read and comment on, strung together in a few sentences: “Every particle of my Being” says “ you bring me back to Life”. “I have returned from the Lover”, and I am convinced that since “I have seen your way, I will seek no other”. The Beloved takes care of the lover much as the “Ocean takes care of the fish” . “Look straight and you will see the Moon”, for “don’t be doubtful, seek a Master”. “Play that rhythm softly drummer!” and “Make the lifewater of Love flow through our veins”. As one lover tells the beloved: “As you came to me your Being was hidden in the depths of this hidden Being of mine.” If you wish to view the tape pls leave a comment and we will email you the link! Whirling Sparks of Love Unite Adapted from Jalaledin Rumi by Ali Arsanjani   Whirling sparks of love unite Dancing flames of light combine Those who fell apart : unite Fallen from their source a day They won't rest till they find a way To reunite; they remember the day So they choose to wind right back on course To Be united with their source! So they dance in sparks of love Whirling round us from above Waiting till the time is ripe Clouds unite in a spark of light Patient be, till you hear  The sound of thunder very near Forget what seems dear You might, mistaken, gasp of fear this calm breeze will soothe you down amid the storm rolling over your town Whirling sparks of love unite Dancing flames of light combine Those who fell apart : unite Those fallen from their Source See their plight; no remorse Just stand up tall and shine with light Or sit deep in bliss a spark of light Or take the pen let the soul gush Feelings flow no need to rush Then Let it go don't push with might It'll come to you if it's your right Hear the flute the tale it tells Hear the tale that it laments From the reedbed since I was torn People have heard this cry forlorn fallen back from our source Since that day, we've felt remorse Whirling sparks of love unite Dancing flames of light combine Those who fell apart : unite deeply yearns to get back on course to find it's way back to it's Source Winding back it seeks recourse  Seeking union with every resource Going back in time to seek Union with it's source to keep The Flute tells this tale to make you weep To make you long and make you seek Choose to light up, whirl and dance  Look deep inside your secret trance Light up and twirl; sing and dance Rise again you have a chance Be friend to all but your secrets keep Secure inside that mirror deep Theyll sit with you; laugh and weep But still inside your secrets keep Not far from my moan  Do My secrets roam Not far from this cry Do My secrets lie Yet they haven't that light  the ear and eye Whirling sparks of love unite Dancing flames of light combine Those who fell apart : unite You know this well What you sow, you reap Don't give up the light; this is not your fight Don't venture outwards; keep your might Just let go; if it's your right Stand up bright, shine inside, it's your right Keep inside, just let go, it's alright Stand up; shine bright; Don't give up your right Show all your might Whirling sparks of love divide Dancing flames of light unfold Those who fell apart : untold.