Rumi's Masnavi - The bird is flying on high, and below, its shadow is speeding on the earth, flying like a bird:

The bird is flying on high, and below, its shadow is speeding on the earth, flying like a bird:

مرغ بر بالا و زیر آن سایه‌‌اش ** می‌‌دود بر خاک پران مرغ‌‌وش‌‌

Some fool begins to chase the shadow, running (after it) so far that he becomes powerless (exhausted),

ابلهی صیاد آن سایه شود ** می‌‌دود چندان که بی‌‌مایه شود

Not knowing that it is the reflexion of that bird in the air, not knowing where is the origin of the shadow.

بی‌‌خبر کان عکس آن مرغ هواست ** بی‌‌خبر که اصل آن سایه کجاست‌‌

He shoots arrows at the shadow; his quiver is emptied in seeking (to shoot it): 420

تیر اندازد به سوی سایه او ** ترکشش خالی شود از جستجو

The quiver of his life became empty: his life passed in running hotly in chase of the shadow.

ترکش عمرش تهی شد عمر رفت ** از دویدن در شکار سایه تفت‌‌

(But) when the shadow of God is his nurse, it delivers him from (every) phantom and shadow.

سایه‌‌ی یزدان چو باشد دایه‌‌اش ** وارهاند از خیال و سایه‌‌اش‌‌

The shadow of God is that servant of God who is dead to this world and living through God.

سایه‌‌ی یزدان بود بنده‌‌ی خدا ** مرده او زین عالم و زنده‌‌ی خدا

Lay hold of his skirt most quickly without misgiving, that you may be saved in the skirt (end) of the last days (of the world).

دامن او گیر زودتر بی‌‌گمان ** تا رهی در دامن آخر زمان‌‌

(The shadow mentioned in the words) How He (God) extended the shadow is the form of the saints, which guides to the light of the Divine Sun. 425

کيف مد الظل نقش اولیاست ** کاو دلیل نور خورشید خداست‌‌

Do not go in this valley without this guide; say, like Khalíl (Abraham), “I love not them that set.”

اندر این وادی مرو بی‌‌این دلیل ** لا أحب الآفلین گو چون خلیل‌‌