The city of Saba

D J Kadagian, Four Seasons Productions
2007. United States of America. vo English. s Spanish. 9’  

There is a glut of wealthy in the city of Saba. Everyone has more than enough. Even the bath stokers wear gold belts. Huge grape clusters hang down on every street and brush the faces of the citizens.

RUMI POEM

There is a glut of wealth in the city of Saba. Everyone has more than enough. Even the bath stokers wear gold belts. Huge grape clusters hang down on every street And brush the faces of the citizens. No one has to do anything. You can balance a basket on your head and walk through an orchard, and it will fill by itself with overripe fruit dropping into it. Stray dogs stray in lanes full of thrown-out scraps with barely a notice. The lean desert wolf Gets indigestion from the rich food. Everyone is fat and satiated with all the extra. and no one wonders about the unseen world. The people of Saba feel bored with just the mention of prophecy.They have no desire of any kind. Maybe some idle curiosity about miracles, but that’s it. This over richness is a subtle disease Those who have it are blind to what’s wrong and deaf to anyone who points it out. The city of Saba cannot be understood from within itself: But there is a cure, an individual medicine, not a social remedy: sit quietly, and listen for a voice within that will say, Be more silent. As that happens, your soul starts to revive.Give up talking and your positions of power. Give up the excessive money.Turn toward teachers and prophets who don’t live in Saba. They can help you grow sweet again and fragrant and wild and fresh and thankful for any small event.

Translated & recited by: Coleman Barks Footage: Various Music: Doudouk / Composers: Ehrlich, Loy; Malherbe, Didier and Various APM Music