Poem Analysis - Look At Love

A Celebration of Interconnectedness

Rumi's "Look At Love" is an invitation to perceive the world not as a collection of separate entities, but as a unified whole, a tapestry woven with threads of love, spirit, and interconnectedness. The poem's tone is initially observational and inquisitive, gently guiding the reader towards a deeper understanding of unity. It gradually shifts to a more personal and encouraging tone, urging the reader to embrace this interconnectedness in their own lives. The poem emphasizes the idea that apparent opposites are in fact complementary aspects of a larger, harmonious system.

Rumi's Mystical Perspective

Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, deeply influenced the world with his spiritual and philosophical views. His Sufi background provides critical context for understanding the poem. Sufism emphasizes the direct, personal experience of God and the breaking down of perceived separations between the individual and the divine. The poem aligns with this philosophy, encouraging the reader to transcend duality and perceive the underlying unity of all things.

Love, Unity, and Transcendence: Key Themes

Three central themes emerge from "Look At Love". The first, love, isn't merely romantic love but a cosmic force that binds all things together. The poem opens by illustrating this connection, suggesting love inherently "tangles / with the one fallen in love." Secondly, the theme of unity is explored through contrasting elements – earth and sky, fire and water, wolf and lamb – to demonstrate that apparent opposites are interconnected. This idea challenges our tendency to categorize and separate. The poem promotes the idea that these seeming contradictions co-exist and are essential for the universe's harmony. Thirdly, the poem hints at transcendence. The poem suggests shedding the mundane, and rising above the physical to see the whole. For example, by posing questions such as “why are you so busy / with this or that or good or bad” Rumi implores the audience to move away from binaries to experience a higher level of being.

Symbolism of Blending and Harmony

The poem is rich with symbolic imagery that reinforces its message of unity. The act of "blending" or "mingling" is a recurring symbol, emphasizing the fusion of disparate elements. The image of "water and fire, earth and wind" existing as "enemies and friends all at once" encapsulates this idea. This symbol could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition, suggesting that our own internal conflicts and perceived contradictions are ultimately part of a larger, unified self. Another potent symbol is the "equinox," representing the balance between spring and winter, light and darkness. This image signifies the harmonious equilibrium that exists when opposing forces are in perfect alignment. It acts as a reminder that our world is in constant tension and balance.

The Heart's Truth and Silent Sweetness

The poem also uses vivid imagery such as "heart and tongue." “Look at your heart and tongue / one feels but deaf and dumb / the other speaks in words and signs”. This image seems to be conveying that whilst some things remain mute, only able to be experienced internally, there will also be those who can make this experience be known in external language. Rumi uses “sugarcane” as a metaphor for the approach one should take to experiencing connection and unity. “Be like sugarcane / sweet yet silent / don’t get mixed up with bitter words” suggests a path to remaining tranquil and composed whilst experiencing or acting within the connectedness of everything and everyone. Is it possible that the "silent" aspect of sugarcane refers to its ability to embody its sweetness without boastfulness or self-promotion, thus existing in its unity and connection humbly?

Finding the Divine Within Ourselves

"Look At Love" is ultimately a call to embrace the interconnectedness of all things and recognize the divine spark within ourselves. Rumi's poem is a powerful reminder that the universe operates as a harmonious whole. He implies that our focus must shift towards understanding how all things blend together. The final lines, "my beloved grows / right out of my own heart / how much more union can there be," encapsulate the poem's central message: the greatest union is the realization of the divine within oneself, a union that transcends all separation and embraces the totality of existence.