Zone5

I have always loved the poetry of Rumi. Writing 800 years ago in the 13th Century, his language is beautiful and intoxicating, whatever about the “mystical” meaning of it, even to an atheist like me. Rumi takes an often side-ways look at the human condition, and his absurd rendition of people’s shallow beliefs, their pre-occupation with materialism, trivia and what others think of them is at times reminiscent of Voltaire. What is most extraordinary is how relevant his gentle mocking is to today, and the power of his words coming down through the centuries to get us take stock, pause and consider what might be really important in life. This is a poem I came across the other day that seems to have particular relevance for the inhabitants of the modern world:

The City of Saba

There is a glut of wealth in the City of Saba.Everyone has more than enough. Even

the bath stokers wear gold belts.Huge grape clusters hang down on every street and

brush the faces of the citizens. No one has to do anything. You can balance

a basket on your head and walk through an orchard, and it will fill by itself with

overripe fruit dropping into it. Stray dogs stray in lanes full of thrown-out

scraps with barely a notice. The lean desert wolf gets indigestion from the rich

food. Everyone is fat and satiated with all the extra. There are no

robbers. There is no energy for crime, or for gratitude, and no one wonders about

the unseen world. The people of Saba feel bored with just the mention of prophecy.

They have no desire of any kind.Maybe some idle curiosity about miracles, but that’s

it. This overrichness is a subtle disease. Those who have it are blind

to what’s wrong and deaf to anyone who points it out. The City of Saba cannot be

understood from within itself: But there is a cure, an individual medicine, not

a social remedy: sit quietly, and listen for a voice within that will say, *Be

more silent*. As that happens, your soul starts to revive Give up talking and

your positions of power. Give up the excessive money. Turn toward teachers and

prophets who dont live in Saba. They can help you grow sweet again and fragrant

and wild and fresh and thankful for any small event.

(From Coleman Barks, “The Soul of Rumi”)

I dont know what Rumi means by the “unseen world” but the lines:

“This overrichness is a subtle disease. Those who have it are blind

to what’s wrong and deaf to anyone who points it out.”

seem very apt for the Orwellian world where Peak oil and Climate change, that threaten the very fabric of society and call into question the future of the human race, are given less air-time on the media than celebrity gossip and sports results.

The most powerful lines for me are:

“The City of Saba cannot be

understood from within itself: But there is a cure, an individual medicine, not

a social remedy: sit quietly, and listen for a voice within that will say, *Be

more silent*. “

Which makes me think: maybe there can be no social change; it is really up to those individuals who reject consumerism to make a positive choice for a more simple life, a quiet life with few needs, yet with no attachment to the rest of the world following suit.