The Friendship Poems of Rumi

they say you will
end up with nothing
i am happy
with no end at all

water is useless
when you drink in dreams

take a look at me
i’m the light
eager to find you

if i tell you i have a king
i’m misleading you
since i am the king

every moment you’ve waited
will be diamonds in worth

Rumi’s poetry also became an intrinsic part of Khalili’s architectural career. Inspired by the mystical poetry of Rumi, his architecture was distilled from the timeless principles of this universe and its timeless materials—the elements of earth, air, water, and fire, and has been described as “Poetry crystallized into structure.”

Khalili was also the founder and director of the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture (Cal-Earth).

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR

Nader Khalili (1936-2008) was a world-renowned Iranian-American architect, author, humanitarian and teacher.

A CANDLE

a candle
spreading light
a mecca
gathering the crowd

He later developed a passion for studying and translating Rumi’s works.