Quatrain 87 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
ای دل دو سه شام تا سحرگاه مخسبدر فرقت آفتاب چون ماه مخسپ
چون دلو درین ظلمت چه ره میکردباشد که برآئی به سر چاه مخسب
Description:
English Translation of the Quatrain
O heart, don't sleep for two or three nights until dawn,
In the separation from the sun, like a moon eclipsed.
Like a bucket in this darkness, what path would it take?
Perhaps you will rise to the top of the well, O sleeper.
Analysis of the Quatrains
Heart as a Seeker: The heart is addressed directly, personified as a seeker on a spiritual journey.
Separation from the Divine: The "sun" symbolizes the divine, and the "moon" represents the heart in its absence.
The Well of Existence: The "well" can be interpreted as a symbol of the depths of existence or the spiritual journey.
The Ascent: The final line suggests a hope for spiritual ascent and enlightenment.
Deeper Meanings
This quatrain, like much of Rumi's poetry, can be interpreted on multiple levels:
Spiritual Longing: The poem expresses a deep longing for spiritual union with the divine.
The Dark Night of the Soul: The "darkness" and "eclipse" can symbolize the spiritual experiences of doubt and despair.
The Journey to the Divine: The "well" and "ascent" represent the journey towards the divine.