“Out beyond ideas of

Wrongdoing and rightdoing,

There is a field.

I’ll meet you there.”

~Rumi

Liquid Persuasion

Beyond the gate

Of right and wrong

There is an arboretum

Where you will

Drape me in

Finest silks

From Turkestan

And seduce me

With your full-bodied,

Burgundy words

And Sauvignon ideas

Imported through

The ages with all

Their smoky allure intact

And their rich, seamless

Texture still fragrant

With blackberry and plum,

Cloaked in dark chocolate

And infused with

Sun-ripened currants,

And I will drink down

Your liquid persuasion

Until my palate is numb

And every cell

In my body glows

With the sanguine of you,

For you are both

Spirit-maker

And sommelier,

A rare combination of

Dry and sweet,

And I shall never lose

My thirst for

Union with you.

© 2008
Reference:  Barks, Coleman, Translator, The Essential Rumi, Special Edition,

                        New York, Quality Paperback Book Club, 1998