"At The Twilight" by Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi is a mystical and metaphorical poem that explores the themes of transformation, transcendence, and the merging of the self with the divine. The poem uses the imagery of a moon appearing in the sky and descending to earth to convey the idea of a spiritual journey and union with the divine. It evokes a sense of awe and wonder at the transformative power of spiritual experiences.
"At The Twilight" by Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
At the twilight, a moon appeared in the sky;
Then it landed on earth to look at me.
Like a hawk stealing a bird at the time of prey;
That moon stole me and rushed back into the sky.
I looked at myself, I did not see me anymore;
For in that moon, my body turned as fine as soul.
The nine spheres disappeared in that moon;
The ship of my existence drowned in that sea.
Summary
"At The Twilight" is a spiritually charged poem that describes a transformative experience. The poem begins with the appearance of a moon in the twilight sky, symbolizing a moment of divine intervention or revelation. This moon descends to earth, akin to a predator seizing its prey, and in doing so, it steals the speaker, representing a profound spiritual awakening.
As a result of this encounter with the moon, the speaker undergoes a radical transformation. They no longer recognize themselves in the conventional sense; their physical body becomes as ethereal as the soul. The moon's presence causes the disappearance of the nine spheres, possibly referring to the traditional cosmological model, symbolizing a departure from worldly concerns. Finally, the poem concludes with the metaphor of the ship of the speaker's existence being submerged in the sea, signifying a complete surrender to the divine.
Critical Analysis
The poem is deeply mystical and metaphysical, with the moon serving as a symbol of divine revelation and transformation.
Throughout the poem, there is a sense of movement and transition, from the appearance of the moon to its descent to earth and the subsequent return to the sky. This movement mirrors the spiritual journey of the speaker.
The imagery of the moon stealing the speaker suggests a sense of divine agency and the idea that spiritual experiences can be overpowering and transformative.
The poem emphasizes the dissolution of the self and ego, with the speaker no longer recognizing their physical body. This reflects the Sufi concept of annihilation of the self in the divine presence.
Themes
- Spiritual Transformation: The poem explores the theme of spiritual transformation, highlighting how a profound encounter with the divine can radically change an individual.
- Union with the Divine: The imagery of the moon descending to earth and stealing the speaker symbolizes a mystical union with the divine.
- Surrender: The poem conveys the idea of surrendering one's ego and worldly concerns to fully embrace the divine presence.
Attitudes/Feelings
- Awe and Wonder: The poem conveys a sense of awe and wonder at the transformative power of spiritual experiences.
- Transcendence: The speaker's experience leads to a sense of transcendence, where they no longer identify with their physical self.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: The moon is used metaphorically to represent the divine and the transformative power of spiritual experiences.
- Imagery: The poem employs vivid imagery to convey the descent of the moon and the subsequent transformation of the speaker.
Discussion Question
How does "At The Twilight" by Rumi explore the themes of spiritual transformation and union with the divine? What is the significance of the moon as a symbol in the poem?