THE ESSENCE OF SUFI POETRY

Abstract

Sufi poetry is a unique kind of poetry. Most of its verses are odes to God, celebrating the unity of God and man. Sufi poetry has its characteristics, especially in the way Sufis express love. Their verses are full of passion, emotions and sensible words, written in the way of prophane love but actually dedicated to God. This is the main difference between eastern and western love poetry. While western poets express their love to a woman, whom they adore, eastern, Sufi poets, express their love to God. The main intention of sufi poet is to love Divine, to burn within love passion and eventually die in it. Sufi poetry could be recognized by its specific simbols and metaphors, such as: face, glance, rose, vine, nightingale and these are commonly used by most sufi poets. Sufi poetry follows the tradition of the literature of oriental world, especially Turkey and Iran.