Poem Analysis - This Marriage

A Prayer for Union: Overview of Rumi's 'This Marriage'

Rumi’s "This Marriage" is a heartfelt blessing and celebration of marital union. The poem exudes a tone of profound joy, optimism, and spiritual reverence. It’s a simple yet deeply moving expression of hope for a future filled with happiness, compassion, and divine grace for the couple. The poem maintains a consistent mood of joyful anticipation, creating a sense of serenity and well-wishing.

Echoes of Sufi Mysticism: Love and the Divine

One of the central themes is the unity of earthly love with the divine. Rumi, a renowned Sufi mystic, often used the metaphor of romantic love to represent the soul's longing for union with God. In this poem, the blessings sought aren't just for a happy marriage in the conventional sense, but for a union that reflects and facilitates spiritual growth. The line "how spirit mingles in this marriage" explicitly connects the earthly bond with a higher, spiritual reality, suggesting that the marriage is a conduit for divine grace and understanding.

Nourishment and Abundance: Sustaining Love

Another crucial theme is the promise of sustained nourishment and abundance within the marriage. This is beautifully conveyed through vivid imagery of food and nature. The marriage is likened to "sweet milk," "wine and halvah" (a sweet confection), and a "date palm" offering "fruit and shade." These symbols represent the richness, sweetness, and enduring support that the marriage is expected to provide. The choice of a date palm, particularly, emphasizes longevity and consistent provision, underscoring the hope for a relationship that thrives and offers sustenance over time.

Compassion and Paradise: The Fruits of Righteous Union

The poem also highlights the importance of compassion and the pursuit of paradise as integral elements of a successful marriage. The phrase "May this marriage be a sign of compassion" underscores the ethical dimension of the relationship, suggesting that the couple's love should extend beyond themselves to others. The aspiration for "every day a day in paradise" speaks to the transformative power of love to create a blissful and harmonious existence, not just in a spiritual afterlife, but in the everyday realities of their shared life.

Symbols of Hope and Divine Favor: Moon and Fruit

The poem uses recurring symbols and vivid images to amplify its message. The comparison of the marriage to "the moon in a clear blue sky" is particularly striking. The moon, often associated with beauty, tranquility, and guidance, symbolizes the hope that the marriage will be a beacon of light and joy in the couple's lives. It suggests that their union will be a source of clarity and inspiration, much like the moon illuminating the darkness. The continuous imagery of fruit and abundance from the date palm also underscores the hope for a fertile and prosperous union, not only in terms of material wealth, but also in terms of emotional and spiritual growth. Is the imagery of plentiful fruit also indicative of many children to come?

A Timeless Blessing: The Significance of 'This Marriage'

In conclusion, "This Marriage" is a beautifully simple yet profoundly meaningful poem that celebrates the potential of marriage to be a source of joy, compassion, and spiritual growth. Through its evocative imagery and hopeful tone, the poem offers a timeless blessing, expressing the hope that the union will be a reflection of divine grace and a source of enduring happiness for the couple. The poem transcends a simple description of marriage, presenting it as a path to personal and spiritual fulfillment, deeply rooted in Sufi ideals of love and unity with the divine.