Feeling in Words

Okay, to start off, I don’t think I’ve ever read a poem that kept my attention like this one did. “Like This” by Rumi uses a mix of figurative language and repetition to make the poem seem as close and intimate as a loving and passionate relationship. Had this poem been originally written in any other language like English, I’m certain the meaning would have been lost on me, or at least not have been hammered into me as effectively.

The poem is meant to depict the love between two people in worded form, and does so in a way that makes the reader feel that they aren’t an observer, but part of that union themselves; for example, Lines 12, 13, and 14 are:

“or what God’s fragrance” means

lean your head towards him or her.

Keep your face there close

The aforementioned figurative language compares the scent of one half of the couple to something the other half is thoroughly enamored with, comparing it to God; the poem repeats this process with a variety of different phrases, but these different phrases all mean the same thing at their core: love.

I noticed that as the poem goes along, the words and meaning behind them grow in intensity and in intimacy, as indicated by the lines “slowly loosen knot by knot the strings” (Line 18) and “Kiss me on the lips” (Line 23). It becomes a crescendo of sorts, almost representative of a couple preparing for passion and the increasing feelings leading up to it.

There is a recurring element throughout the poem that consistently repeats itself after each paragraph: the words “like this”. I’m torn on what the real meaning of this phrase actually represents; on one hand, I get the impression it is the narrator’s thoughts, as he/she and their lover do what the paragraphs before each “like this” describe; we as readers follow along as the couple dance on the rooftop, kiss, enjoy quiet nights together, and do everything that being a happy couple implies. And, of course, regarding a more sexual aspect, “like this” could also be representative of the couple’s first time making love; fumbling with each other as they try to find out what the other enjoys.

Overall, the figurative language used in the poem comes together to help give a touching throwback to what a genuinely loving relationship is, or at least can be; it’s not just kissing and sex, but the emotional bonds that two people forge, bit by bit, everlasting.

 

By Daniel Amaro