This being human is…
Blue Sky Black Sheep Prompt
The Guesthouse 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
This being human is
Tiptoeing around the kitchen as he sleeps on the couch
Hands softening around the hot mug of freshly steeped licorice tea
Wool socks cuddling my toes against the late afternoon chill
This being human is
I imagine, not all that different than being a grasshopper, or a tree
Soaking sunshine and sipping raindrops
Humming to the earth’s rhythms with uncertain direction
This being human is
Ketchup dripping down my mouth, a burger spilling from my hands
Sneaking hot, salty fries to the eager-eyed pup at my side
Bubbles up the nose from a much-too-quick sip of all-american root beer
This being human is
Emptiness, that dull ache of giving up after too many long days in a row
Frustrated tears escaping, flooding like perspiration round the edge of that rootbeer cup
This being human is
Slipping in beside him on the couch, arms wrapped tight
Remembering that I’m not alone
Love from Leysin,
sbmc
