Poetry by Rumi

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing 
and right doing there is a field 

by Rumi 

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing 
there is a field. 
I’ll meet you there. 
Where the soul lies down in that soft grass 
the world is too full to talk about – 
ideas, language, even the phrase “each other” 
doesn’t make any sense. 

This being human is a 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 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. 

Birdwings 
by Rumi 

Your grief for what you've lost lifts a mirror 
up to where you are bravely working. 

Expecting the worst, you look, and instead, 
here's the joyful face you've been wanting to see. 

Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes. 
If it were always a fist or always stretched open, 
you would be paralyzed. 

Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, 
the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated 
as birdwings. 

There is some kiss we want 
by Rumi 

There is some kiss we want 
with our whole lives, 
the touch of Spirit on the body. 

Seawater begs the pearl 
to break its shell. 

And the lily, how passionately 
it needs some wild Darling! 

At night, I open the window 
and ask the moon to come 
and press its face against mine. 
Breathe into me. 

Close the language-door, 
and open the love-window. 

The moon won’t use the door, 
only the window. 

We are the mirror  
by Rumi 

We are the mirror  
as well as the face in it.  
We are tasting the taste  
this minute of eternity. 
We are pain  
and what cures pain, both.  
We are the sweet, cold water 
and the jar that pours. 

There is a force within 
by Rumi 

There is a force within 
Which gives you life— 
Seek that 
  
In your body 
Lies a precious gem— 
Seek that. 
  
Oh wandering Sufi,
If you want to find
The greatest treasure 
Don’t look outside, 
Look inside, and seek that.