The Guest House

The Guest House 

by Rumi

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 honourably.
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 was a Persian poet, he was born in 1207 and died in 1273. Rumi was a Sufi mystic and has been a well known Persian literature exponent. Most of his works were written in Persian, but he also wrote in Turkish, Arabic and Greek. Rumi wrote poetry and prose.

img. by Buzac Marius