Joy 39/82: Rumi

I love the fact that a poet who died in 1273 (on my birthday, by the way), is the best selling poet in today's world.  Of course he was helped a bit by Coleman Barks, his charismatic translator.  Here are a few of my favorite bits of wisdom from Rumi:

"A thousand half-loves must be forsaken to take one whole heart home."


*******


"Sometimes you hear a voice through
the door calling you, as fish out of


water hear the waves or a hunting
falcon hears the drums come back.


This turning toward what you deeply love
saves you."


******


"The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep."


******


"Learn the alchemy true human beings know.
The moment you accept what troubles you've been given,
the door will open."