About this episode
Watch the videoHere is an edit of the first poem, from my father's grave:I said "Father, this is not the way for such greatness to end."He replied, "How should it be? This is destined."I said, "Yet, it is much too soon for your departure."He said, "No, Truth's wisdom declares when is best."**In the last line, the first translation uses the word “God” rather than “Truth”—The word that is actually used is “Hagh”, which means “Truth” or “God,” as the multiple meanings may be used interchangeably. The second poem (where you see the bird picking up the poetry), which is also being read from the wake (in the beginning of the video) is from the first eighteen lines of the Masnavi of Jalâl al-Din Rumi. The video is only showing what is from the first line of Rumi's Masnavi. There are many translations, though I particularly like this translation of the Reed Flute's Song, from Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks:The Reed Flute's Songby Jalalu'ddin Rumi, excerpted from Coleman Barks' translation in The Essential RumiListen to the story told by the reed,of being separated."Since I was cut from the reedbed,I have made this crying sound.Anyone apart from someone he lovesunderstands what I say.Anyone pulled from a sourcelongs to go back.At any gathering I am there,mingling in the laughing and grieving,a friend to each, but fewwill hear the secrets hiddenwithin the notes. No ears for that.Body flowing out of spirit,spirit up from body: no concealingthat mixing. But it's not given usto see the soul. The reed fluteis fire, not wind. Be that empty."Hear the love fire tangledin the reed notes, as bewildermentmelts into wine. The reed is a friendto all who want the fabric tornand drawn away. The reed is hurtand salve combining. Intimacyand longing for intimacy, onesong. A disastrous surrenderand a fine love, together. The onewho secretly hears this is senseless.A tongue has one customer, the ear.A sugarcane flute has such effectbecause it was able to make sugarin the reedbed. The sound it makesis for everyone. Days full of wanting,let them go by with