I have been tricked by flying too close

yellow-red tulip, Istanbul Tulip Festival, Pentax K10D

I have been tricked by flying too close

I have been tricked by flying too close
to what I thought I loved.

Now the candleflame is out, the wine spilled,
and the lovers have withdrawn
somewhere beyond my squinting.

The amount I thought I’d won, I’ve lost.
My prayers becomes bitter and all about blindness.

How wonderful it was to be for a while
with those who surrender.

Others only turn their faces on way,
then another, like pigeon in flight.

I have known pigeons who fly in a nowhere,
and birds that eat grainlessness,

and tailor who sew beautiful clothes
by tearing them to pieces.

Mevlana

(Mathnawi, V. 346-353) Like This,
Rumi, Coleman Barks, Maypop Books