A Crowd of Sorrows

The Guesthouse

This being human is a guesthouse.
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

Things may be winding down for my mother. These three months of her limbo existence have been like watching a fall in slow motion.

I’m working on the part about meeting them at the door laughing.

One Reply to “A Crowd of Sorrows”

  1. Diana Johnson says:

    yes, that is brave heart material

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