Wednesday, October 31, 2012

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 whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.


rumi

1 comment:

Kathleen said...

One of my all time favorite poems. A lovely friend sent it to me during one of the most wicked-hard times of my life. It helped.