Now, I tested myself with this one as I don’t usually gravitate toward poetry anyway, let along classic poetry, but I have seen so many excerpts of Rumi’s poetry and teachings throughout the years, I knew I had to give the collection a try. As I anticipated, I was a little disconnected from the work, but there are things I really liked about it to.

Thirteenth-century Persian philosopher, mystic, scholar, and founder of the order of the Whirling Dervishes, Jelaluddin Rumi was also a poet of transcendental power. His inspirational verse speaks with the universal voice of the human soul and brims with exuberant energy and passion. Rich in natural imagery from horses to fishes, flowers to birds and rivers to stars, the poems have an elemental force that has remained undiminished through the centuries. Their themes – tolerance, goodness, the experience of God, charity and awareness through love – still resonate with millions of readers around the world.

This natural imagery and themes really stuck out to me and I felt a real sense of connection to the land and life throughout Rumi’s works. Given the time in which these poems would have been written, I wasn’t expecting anything technology related or new age, but the intrinsically grounded human stories and imagery of mundane life made it feel like a wonderland far from the everyday impact of normalised tech. I felt like I was experiencing the countryside, the small-town experience, or the life of communities off the grid. This isn’t the intention, of course, but it is an effect I felt, and figured that if you were so inclined to such a perspective or tone then you would enjoy these works.

I am no religious, so I cannot comment on the themes, messages, and allegories associated with religious figures. There are more than a handful, which is an important note in itself. If religious texts and themes aren’t your forte, then I would perhaps focus on Rumi’s teaching stories instead. These teaching stories come across as long, free verse poetry for the most part and act as significant modes of storytelling and lessons. I liked these and found myself flicking through the pages to find them specifically. I like Rumi’s shorter poetry, but these longer pieces stuck out for me.

Overall, I am glad I gave Rumi’s Selected Poetry a shot. It is beautiful, and it carries with it teachings and snapshots of a life not so far for some, but centuries old for others. It is enlightening, and I recommend picking it up and perusing it when you get the chance.