Good art and poetry can truly capture the beauty of erotic love…
Lovers find secret
places inside this
violent world
where they make
transactions with
beauty.
I found this nice little poetic tidbit from the always interesting Forgetful Muse:http://forgetfulmuse.tumblr.com/. Check out her site. An old blogger friend of mine, she posts a lot of nice images, poetry and her own personal observations on life, especially spiritual matters. This particular poem is from the great Persian poet, Rumi, who lived between 1207-1273. Persia, now known as Iran, is an ancient country with a long and rich cultural tradition. Rumi is considered the greatest of all Persian poets, and even today in Iran, his birthday is a national holiday. Unlike most Americans, who could not tell the difference between Shakespeare and Walt Whitman, Rumi is well known by most Iranians today. Ask anyone of Persian descent living in the West who Rumi is, and most likely they will be able to tell you. The West once had a rich poetic culture that infused most of life, but sadly that has been largely lost. It is nice to see that some societies, even those that I would consider as dangerous and hostile as Iran, continue to preserve their great poetic heritages.
The great Persian poet Rumi, 1207-1273.
Again, the fusion of beauty and eroticism is as old and universal as anything in this world. This small poem on erotic love and beauty by a Persian poet and Muslim Sufi mystic who lived 800 years ago is a testament to that.
The Chase 
David Collard said:
Rumi (and Kabir) were Persian gems I only discovered recently.
I am on the blogroll as Social Biology. Would it be possible to change this to David Collard or even just Julian O’Dea, which is my real name?
Racer X said:
David Collard,
Yes, these are beautiful poetic gems from Persia. I will have to read some Kabir too.
And I have already changed your blogroll name to David Collard. But would you prefer Julian O’Dea instead? Let me know and I will change it to that.
David Collard said:
Julian O’Dea thanks. I “came out” a while ago. That is my real name.
The first Kabir I ever heard was the “Inside this clay jug …” poem set to music. Later I discovered Rumi, who is somewhat similar. But they are both terrific poets.
I like Rumi and Kabir most as religious or philosophical poets, not so much for erotic stuff, although a lot of my own poetry seems to move into the erotic.
David Collard said:
Speaking of name changes, is David DM a new name for Racer?
Racer X said:
Julian,
Ok, I will make that change. And yes, David DM is a replacement for Racer. It is my actual first name and my middle and last name initials. After my heart attack Racer X just did not work anymore. It was fun while it lasted but I needed a change.
David Collard said:
My old penname, David Collard, is my second name and my mother’s maiden name.
Julian O’Dea
Suzy said:
Rumi wrote Layla and Majnoun.A must read.
Suzy said:
Actually it is Nizami Ganjavi another famous Persian poet that wrote Leyla and Majnoun.The Middle East’s version of Romeo and Juliet but in my opinion far more beautiful and mystical.Please check it out at an English translation at a book store and read.Worth it!
Racer X said:
Suzy,
Thanks for the info! I certainly will do that.
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Marcus S said:
Verry nice post