المثنوي

The Song of the Reed,” at the beginning of Rumi’sMasnavi

Now listen to this reed-flute’s deep lament

About the heartache being apart has meant:

‘Since from the reed-bed they uprooted me

My song’s expressed each human’s agony,

A breast which separation’s split in two

Is what I seek, to share this pain with you:

When kept from their true origin, all yearn

For union on the day they can return.