Gone to The Unseen

Note: this is another poem of Rumi's which Timm had saved on his laptop. To me it sings so richly of how a full heart can transcend its own death, as if the maritals of beauty affirmed the unity of the poet (or, in Timm's case, photographer) as lover and God as the beloved. All of Timm's wonder at the world as a child would be expressed in the rapture of the nature he found through his lens, and was simultaneously finding as a man who sought to serve his God and fellow humans and explore the depths of his own heart loving a woman he planned to marry and plant his life within.

The photo above of Timm is a family favorite. Timm carries a pinwheel and a bag of bread crumbs: two talismans of the wonder and nourishment of a heart in love with the world.


Gone to the Unseen

Rumi

At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.
What marvelous route did you take from this world?
Beating your wings and feathers,
you broke free from this cage.

Rising up to the sky you attained the world of the soul.
You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer's call and flew beyond space and time.
As a lovesick nightingale, you flew among the owls.

Then came the scent of the rose garden and you flew off to meet the Rose.
The wine of this fleeting world caused your head to ache.
Finally you joined the tavern of Eternity.
Like an arrow, you sped from the bow and went straight for the bull's eye of bliss.

This phantom world gave you false signs
But you turned from the illusion and journeyed to the land of truth.
You are now the Sun - what need have you for a crown?
You have vanished from this world - what need have you to tie your robe?

I've heard that you can barely see your soul.
But why look at all? -
yours is now the Soul of Souls!

O heart, what a wonderful bird you are.
Seeking divine heights,
Flapping your wings,
you smashed the pointed spears of your enemy.

The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -
You are the fearless rose
that grows amidst the freezing wind.
Pouring down like the rain of heaven
you fell upon the rooftop of this world.

Then you ran in every direction and escaped through the drain spout . . .
Now the words are over and the pain they bring is gone.
Now you have gone to rest
in the arms of the Beloved.

- translated by Jonathan Star