Poetry Sunday: I Wanted to Change the World by Rumi

Jalal al-Din Rumi, known in the West simply as Rumi, was born in Balkh Province, Afghanistan on the eastern edge of the Persian Empire in 1207 C.E. He was descended from a long line of Islamic jurists, theologians, and mystics, including his father who was referred to as "Sultan of the Scholars." When he was still a young man, his father led his family 2,000 miles east to avoid the invasion of Genghis Khan. They settled in present-day Turkey, where Rumi lived and wrote for most of his life. He died there in 1273 C.E.

Rumi was a prolific writer in many forms but is best known for his lyric poetry. He was also a teacher and was considered a Sufi mystic. His poetry with its spiritual teaching is popular throughout much of the world and he is sometimes spoken of as the most popular poet in America where volumes of his poetry still sell well in the 21st century. 

I happened to encounter one of Rumi's poems this past week and it spoke to me so I decided to share it with you today. It is very short but full of meaning.

I Wanted to Change the World

by Rumi

Yesterday I
was clever,
so I wanted
to change
the world.

Today I am
wise, so I
am changing
myself.