This Marriage

I've never studied poetry. I started to by reading Sound and Sense when Seth was a newborn. But then he started to move around. And thus ended my study of poetry. One day I'll go back to it.

In the meantime, the only poetry I get is from music. I've already mentioned my esteem for Eric Whitacre's music. Aside from the music though, the texts he chooses are so good.

Here is one. I feel like this 13th century Persian poet really captures the hope we have and the sweetness that can be found in marriage.

This Marriage

Jalal ad-Dīn Rumi

May these vows and this marriage be blessed.

May it be sweet milk,

like wine and halvah.

May this marriage offer fruit and shade

like the date palm.

May this marriage be full of laughter,

our every day a day in paradise.

May this marriage be a sign of compassion,

a seal of happiness here and hereafter.

May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,

an omen as welcome as the moon in a clear blue sky.

I am out of words to describe

how spirit mingles in this marriage.