this is my favourite poem. many layers. many meanings. much context.
in a time of anti-islam, rumi is a best selling poet. he was a 13th century
sufi - a branch of islam that honours scholarship, mysticism and tolerance.
in this poem, rumi makes reference to an ancient buddhist story.
the story illustrates how we each see things differently. how we defend
our own understanding. but also the story illustrates how only together
can we understand the whole.
the candle is my favourite icon. it's light is very weak indeed, yet well
dispells the darkness. we need to see what the candles of other people
show.