True Love, Like This

By Alex Luna

The poem “Like This” by Rumi is a fascinating love poem, in which the speaker describes and uses figurative language to demonstrate why their love is damn near perfect, or possibly is perfect in every way. The poem utilizes a recurring structure that is effective in convincing the reader of the speaker’s legitimate love for the subject due to their figurative language. When looking at a few stanza’s, we see how the use of figurative language not only reveals their love for the subject but how their religious affiliation enhances that love. 

The poem paints a picture or scenario and implores the subject to boast that they themselves are that beautiful thing. From the first line, “the perfect satisfaction of all our sexual wanting will look” and saying that the speaker is that very thing, we can tell that the speaker holds the subject at such high regard. This comparison of “sexual wanting” brings about connotations of lust, possibly orgasmic feelings that the speaker feels towards this person. It’s especially interesting when taking Rumi’s background into consideration. Being Muslim, one may assume that sex is a more private topic, only between a husband and wife. Yet, here Rumi completely flaunts sexuality and celebrates it between the speaker and subject. With this in mind, the subject must be so important to the speaker that they are willing to go above religious norms to demonstrate their love. While not mentioning religion specifically, the connotations are there when considering Rumi as a poet. 

These religious tones continue into the following stanza. The line “when someone mentions the gracefulness of the night sky.” The word “gracefulness” conveys more religious images as if someone were looking towards that night sky in absolute awe at God’s creation. So for the speaker to make use of this figurative language, it makes the subject seem full of grace, with connotations of having God’s care and influence. This reference to grace implies that religion is important to the speaker and that makes the figurative language that much more powerful. He establishes a type of Metonymy, where the subject is now being associated with religion. 

Furthermore, when taking these religious themes in mind, we can see more development in the line “if anyone wants to know what ‘spirit’ is, or what ‘God’s fragrance’ means” lean your head toward him or her, like this.” A very delicate line, implying a sense of divinity towards this person. Again, Rumi’s religious affiliation comes into play. This figurative language of being “God’s fragrance” not only implies the person smells really good but is basically divine and worthy of being up there with God. Islam is a religion that holds it’s God of Allah very sacred, so to say this person is up there with them is an honor. 

Finally, the line “If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead, don’t try to explain the miracle, kiss me on the lips.” is the final confirmation needed to see just how much the speaker values the subject. Not only do they call the subject a miracle, but having the power Jesus did. In a way, it transcends being a simple metaphor and has possibly become something grand and meaningful that transcends life. Here, they finally are able to create a Synechdoche, a bridge or marriage between religion and the subject to be one thing. That thing the speaker shares with the subject, loving someone and being loved back that is so elusive and magical. Yet, requires a lot of faith, oftentimes in something beyond ourselves. That thing is true love.