A Man Talking to His House - Jelelludin Rumi

Larry Robinson Lrobpoet at sonic.net
Sun Aug 5 07:18:34 PDT 2018


A Man Talking To His House  

I say that no one in this caravan is awake 
and that while you sleep, a thief is stealing
 
the signs and symbols of what you thought 
was your life. Now you're angry with me for

telling you this! Pay attention to those who 
hurt your feelings telling you the truth.

Giving and absorbing compliments is like 
trying to paint on water, that insubstantial. 
 
Here is how a man once talked with his house, 
“Please, if you're ever about to collapse,
 
let me know.” One night without a word the 
house fell. “What happened to our agreement?” 
 
The house answered, “Day and night I've been 
telling you with cracks and broken boards and 
 
holes appearing like mouths opening. But you 
kept patching and filling those with mud, so 
 
proud of your stopgap masonry. You didn't 
listen.” This house is your body always  

saying, I'm leaving; I'm going soon. Don't 
hide from one who knows the secret. Drink

the wine of turning toward God. Don't examine
your urine. Examine instead how you praise,

what you wish for, this longing we've been
given. Fall turns pale yellow light wanting

spring and spring arrives! Trees blossom.  
Come to the orchard and see what comes to

you, a silent conversation with your soul.

	- Jelalludin Rumi
	
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