Rumi on Poetry

'I am giving people what they want. I am reciting poetry because people desire it as an entertainment. 

In my own country, people do not like poetry. I have long searched for people who want action, but all they want is words. I am ready to show you action; but none will patronize this action. So I present you with - words.'

Jalaludin Rumi

(quoted in The Way of the Sufi by Idries Shah)