Description

More than eight hundred years after his birth, the Persian poet Rumi continues to inspire and captivate readers the world over with his enchanting verse. Transcending the limits of time, culture and geography, Rumi’s work bridges the gap between conscious knowing and deep understanding to celebrate the joy of being.

Rumi: Bridge to the Soul, translated by pre-eminent Rumi expert Coleman Barks, features ninety poems, most of which have never previously been published in any form. The “bridge” in the title is a reference to the Khajou Bridge in Isphahan, Iran, which Barks visited in 2006, but also refers to Rumi himself, who crosses cultures, faiths and generations to share the joy and beauty of his work.

Coleman Barks is a renowned poet and the bestselling author of The Essential Rumi, The Soul of Rumi, Rumi: The Book of Love, and The Drowned Book. He was prominently featured in both of Bill Moyers’s PBS television series on poetry, “The Language of Life” and “Fooling with Words.” He taught English and poetry at the University of Georgia for thirty years, and he now focuses on writing, readings, and performances.