In The Arms of the beloved

A BALL OF WAX




O lovers! O lovers! -

I can turn dust into diamonds!

O minstrels! O minstrels!

I can fill your tambourines with gold!



O thirsty souls! O thirsty souls!

I can give you water to drink,

I can turn this dustbin

into the flowing waters of paradise!



O beggar! O beggar!

Your desperate call is over.

I can turn your aching heart

into the King's crown!



O love! O love!

Pour down on this world.

I can turn every ruin into a mosque,

every gallows into a pulpit.



O skeptics! O skeptics!

I can open your heart!

I can pull the strings

that turn people toward doubt or faith.



O braggers! O braggers!

You are a ball of wax in my hand!

Become a sword

and I will turn you into a cup.

Become a cup

and I will turn you into a sword.



You began as a drop of semen,

then you became blood.

Now you have attained this wonderful form.

Come to me, O son of Adam,

I will make you even more beautiful.



I can turn sorrow into joy,

I can turn a wild beast into Joseph,

I can turn poison into nectar,

I can find all those who have gone astray.



O Saaqi! O Saaqi!

My mouth is open wide.

Let every dry mouth

be joined to the lip of your cup.



O garden! O garden!

Let me use your roses for my rosary

and I will let your flowers bloom in my heart.



O Heaven! O Heaven!

You'll be more confused than the narcissus

when I change dust into ambergris,

thorns into jasmine.



O Wisdom! O Wisdom!

You are the King of Truth

who offers a treasure to all those who ask.

Why should I say another word? -

What could I add to your endless giving?



-- Version by Jonathan Star

"Rumi - In the Arms of the Beloved "

Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, New York