I can’t be without you (Rumi)

I can be without anyone
but not without you.
You twist my heart, dwell in my mind
and fill my eyes, you are my joy
I can’t be without you.
You are my sleep, my rest, the water I drink.
You are my clarity, my dignity, my world
I can’t be without you.
Sometimes you are kind, sometimes unfaithful,
you break my heart but
my love, my essence, do not go away
I can’t be without you.
You are the head I am the feet
you are the hand, I am your banner
if you leave, I will perish
I can’t be without you.
You have erased my image, taken my sleep
you’ve torn me away from everybody but
I can’t be without you.
I find no joy in life or relief in death.
Why don’t you say it too
I can’t be without you.

Translated by Azima Melita Kolin
and Maryam Mafi

From Rumi: Hidden Music, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2001