{treat each guest honorably}

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks

Tech Boy’s grandmother’s farm in Aldie, VA, 1940’s.

THIS IS HOW I FIND HER, by Sara Polsky, reminded me of the awesome of this poem, and the truth that we must greet each emotion that comes into this being human – we have no control over it, and it may have something to leave us, when it is gone. THIS IS HOW I FIND HER is another candidate for Erika’s List, well worth picking up, and I’ll be posting my review on Wonderland next Tuesday. Happy Poetry Friday!