Old Poetry Poetry Poets Essays Forums

Like This

If anyone asks you
how the perfect satisfaction
of all our sexual wanting
will look, lift your face
and say,
Like this.

When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the nightsky, climb up on the roof
and dance and say,
Like this.

If anyone wants to know what "spirit" is,
or what "God’s fragrance" means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close.
Like this.

When someone quotes the old poetic image
about clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe.
Like this.

If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
don’t try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this.

When someone asks what it means
to "die for love," point
here.

If someone asks how tall I am, frown
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.
This tall.

The soul sometimes leaves the body, the returns.
When someone doesn’t believe that,
walk back into my house.
Like this.

When lovers moan,
they’re telling our story.
Like this.

I am a sky where spirits live.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Like this.

When someone asks what there is to do,
light the candle in his hand.
Like this.

How did Joseph’s scent come to Jacob?
Huuuuu.

How did Jacob’s sight return?
Huuuu.

A little wind cleans the eyes.
Like this.

When Shams comes back from Tabriz,
he’ll put just his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us
Like this.

Leave a guest comment (subject to review)

    : Comment:

    Name: (required)
    Email: (required, hidden from spam)

Comments


  • August 20, 2009
    Edit | Reply

    Lovely

    From guest Faazlyn (contact)
    This is really a beautiful poem, I will print it and keep it, put in my sons scrap book, when he can read and comprehend, If my genes on him descended, one day he too will grow to love it.


  • Ahkam Moderators member
    January 29, 2009
    Edit | Reply

    Like this

    I like this, in this poem the poet offers a very faxable opinion in a thoughtful manner, a little wind cleans the eye, like this,,, 'Like this' is accompanied with a Tick sound produced by thumb and middle finger, like this!!!

  • Nicolette
    October 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    This is definately one of my favourite poems by Rumi - I just love this one!! The repetition of "like this" works very well and the images and metaphors are quite exquisite. I think someday soon I am going to write my own version of "Like this"...!

    ~ Nicolette