Sunday, March 3, 2013

TO GRIEVE IS TO PRAY

One night a man was crying, Allah! Allah!
His lips grew sweet with the praising,
until a cynic said,
"So! I have heard you
calling out, but have you ever 
gotten any response?"

The man had no answer to that.
He quit praying and fell into a confused sleep.

He dreamed he saw Khidr, the guide of souls,
in a thick green foliage.

"Why did you stop 
praising?"

"Because I've never heard anything back."

"This longing 
you express is the return message."

The grief you cry out from 
draws you toward union.

Your pure sadness that wants help 
is the secret cup.

Listen to the moan of a dog
for its master.
That whining is the connection.

There are love-dogs
no one knows the names of.

Give your life
to be one of them.

-- The Illuminated Rumi

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