About  

Rumi was born in Wakhsh (Tajikistan) under the administration of Balkh in 30 September 1207 to a family of learned theologians. He was introduced into the mystical path by a wandering dervish, Shamsuddin (Shams) of Tabriz. His love and his bereavement on the death of Shams found their expression in a surge of music, dance and lyric poems, `Divani Shamsi Tabrizi'. Rumi is the author of six volume didactic epic work, the `Mathnawi', called as the 'Koran in Persian' by Jami, and discourses, `Fihi ma Fihi', written to introduce his disciples into metaphysics.If there is any general idea underlying Rumi's poetry, it is the absolute love of God. His influence on thought, literature and all forms of aesthetic expression in the world of Islam cannot be overrated.

(paraphrased from The Life of Rumi)

     My Experiences  

I really can't say when I read my first of Rumi's poems. I do know that they have inspired me for a long time with their idea of God as Beloved. My favorite translations are by Coleman Barks.

     About the Title  

The title comes from the name of a book of Rumi translations by Coleman Barks. To me, it means I want (divine) fire, the love of God.