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're 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 is one of my favorites. Thank you so much for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI love the phrase: "a crowd of sorrows" ...beautiful
ReplyDeletethank you for this - :)
Susie and Kat,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like the poem. A very close friend gave me this poem and introduced me to Rumi.
Hi Glenda, This is a great poem. It made me remember an old old poem
ReplyDeleteI wrote titled Crowded House. I am sure I never read this Rumi poem before, at least not in this lifetime.
Yes, I try to do what he says and firmly believe that "He may be clearing you out
ReplyDeletefor some new delight." But it's hard to welcome those visitors every time, isn't it?
Thanks for introducing me to that poem, Glenda.
karen holmes