Come to the orchard in Spring.

RumiEnglish5 lines1 public analyses
Original Poetry
Translation
Come to the orchard in Spring.
Go to the orchard in spring.
There is light and wine, and sweethearts
There's light, wine, and lovers
in the pomegranate flowers.
in the pomegranate flowers.
If you do not come, these do not matter.
If you don't go, these things don't matter.
If you do come, these do not matter.
If you do go, these things still don't matter.
 

Explanation

This poem by Rumi invites the reader to an orchard in spring, a place filled with light, wine, and the presence of lovers amidst the beauty of pomegranate flowers. However, Rumi introduces a paradoxical idea: whether or not one visits the orchard, the presence or absence of these pleasures is irrelevant. This reflects a deeper philosophical view that external pleasures and beauty are insignificant without the presence of a spiritual or beloved connection. Rumi often explores the theme of divine love and the idea that material pleasures are fleeting and secondary to spiritual fulfillment. The poem's simplicity belies its profound message about the nature of true presence and the essence of spiritual companionship, suggesting that the true value lies not in the physical setting or material offerings, but in the inner state of being and connection with the divine or beloved.

Word Dictionary4

WordIn EnglishPlain (English)Pron.
orchardgarden with fruit treesa place where fruit trees are grownor-chard
sweetheartsloverspeople who are in lovesweet-harts
pomegranatea type of fruita fruit with a tough outer skin and many seeds insidepom-e-gran-ate
matterbe importantto have significance or importancemat-ter

Poet & Context

PoetRumi
Era13th century

Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet. He was born in 1207 and is best known for his profound spiritual and mystical poetry. Rumi's works have had a lasting impact on Sufism and Persian literature, and he is considered one of the most popular poets worldwide.

View on Wikipedia
When13th century
WhyThis poem reflects Rumi's mystical philosophy, emphasizing the insignificance of worldly pleasures without spiritual presence. It is part of his broader body of work that explores themes of love, spirituality, and the divine.
FormQuatrain

Themes & More

Spiritual presenceInsignificance of material pleasuresDivine love
Imagery: The poem uses vivid images of an orchard, light, wine, and flowers to create a sensory experience.Paradox: The poem presents the idea that whether or not one visits the orchard, the pleasures do not matter, highlighting a deeper truth.Symbolism: The orchard and its elements symbolize worldly pleasures and the spiritual presence.