The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along.
Rumi

Pain comes from seeing how arrogant you've been, and
pain brings you out of this
conceit.  A child cannot be born until the mother has pain. 
You are pregnant with real
trust.  The words of the prophets and saints are midwives
that help, but first you must feel
pain.  To be without pain is to use the first person wrongly.
"I" am this.  "I" am that.
"I" am God, like al-Hallaj, who waited till that was true to
say it.  "I" at the wrong
time brings a curse.  "I" at the right time gives a blessing.
Rumi

How does a part of the world leave the world?
How can wetness leave water?
Don't try to put out a fire
by throwing on more fire!
Don't wash a wound with blood!
No matter how fast you run, your shadow keeps up.
Sometimes it's in front!
Only full overhead sun
diminishes your shadow.
But that shadow has been serving you!
what hurts you, blesses you.
Darkness is your candle.
Your boundaries are your quest.
Rumi

Dissolver of sugar, dissolve me,
if this is the time.
Do it gently with the touch of a hand, or a look.
Every morning  I wait at dawn.  That's when
it's happened before.  Or do it suddenly
like an execution.  How else can I get ready for death?
You breathe without a body like a spark.
You grieve and I begin to feel lighter.
You keep me away with your arm,
but the keeping away is pulling me in.
Rumi