Who’s in charge of history anyway? Whoever it is sure seems to have a flair for improbable plot turns. Right now, as we gear up for the Big Crusade (or Jihad, depending on your persuasion), witness how the most popular poet in America is a 13th century Muslim mystic named Jelaluddin Rumi. Apart from divine intervention, the graceful free-verse translations of Georgia poet Coleman Barks are generally considered responsible for the Rumi phenomenon. In 1997, artist Michael Green, working with Coleman, merged inspired word with inspired image to create The Illuminated Rumi. A poetry book for people who don’t read poetry, it became a national best–seller, an icon of New Consciousness, and a modern classic.  “This is astonishing,” said Jane Goodall, “It penetrates the deep recesses of mind and heart... You must, absolutely must, have this glorious book for your own. “

Now Michael Green and Running Press announce the publication of ONE SONG • A New Illuminated Rumi. Inspired by a few magnanimous lines from Rumi, One Song builds a bridge of light in dark and divisive times, addressing not only the mystery of a peaceful spirit, but the ways to a peaceful world. With its underlying refrain that the heart of a true human being is a spacious place where Christian, Jew and Muslim can meet in fruitful and loving exchange, ONE SONG reaches out to a whole new audience of seekers. And a new generation as well: Inspired by a tradition in the East of putting Rumi’s verse to music, ONE SONG includes a CD of the astonishing music of The Illumination Band that has received air-play on both coasts. Here is Rumi’s soul-longing perfectly joined with the soaring harmonies of our own Appalachian / folk / gospel / blues tradition–a Rumi you might hear in a West-Texas truck stop.