Poetry Friday – Say Nothing Review by Guest Blogger Soraya Hussain

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Say Nothing: Poems of Jalal-al Din Rumi in Persian and English
Author: Rumi
Translators: Iraj Anvar, Anne Twitty
Publisher: Morning Light Press
ISBN 10: 1596750278
ISBN 13: 978-1596750272

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Rumi has been thrilling audiences with his heartfelt words for centuries.  He is a Persian master of words that capture his love for his friend and spiritual guide the Shams of Tabriz.  He finds great passion in worshiping and idealizing his beloved.  His spirituality is unlike any other and he creates a dichotomy between love and hate, darkness and light and silence and speaking.

In Say Nothing Rumiâ’s words are translated into English by Iraj Anvar and Anne Twitty with such an attention to detail that it brings to light the tangled relationship between lovers, friends, enemies and the relationship you have with yourself.  Rumi makes an awareness of all that we carry in our minds and all we develop in time between the world and the people who we come in contact with.  The poems capture a sense of deep sorrow that Rumi feels when separated from his spiritual point of his beloved friend.

Rumi reminds us that when we say nothing we do not question the world and the heavens above and instead find acceptance and great joy in not knowing all there is of the great mysteries of life.

This book cleverly conveys both the simplicity and astounding complexity that is Rumi’s works.

About Soraya Hussain:

Soraya currently serves a science and health teacher for Nightingale Middle School located in
Los Angeles, California. She lives in Sherman Oaks and enjoys reading and learning Spanish in her spare time.

Please visit the Well-Read Child for the Poetry Friday round-up. Many thanks to them for hosting and thanks to Soraya for her insightful review.

Author: Gina Ruiz

Gina Ruiz is a writer and reviewer living in Los Angeles. She writes about bookish events, books and graphic novels. She is especially interested in the following genres: Chicano, poetry, literature, fiction, mystery, comics, graphic novels, sci-fi, children's literature, non-fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction. She does not review religious literature, self-help, political or self-published books.

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