Get inspired by Rumi

Hi!

Do you know who Rumi is? He is a a 13th-century Persian poet, theologian and Sufi mystic. Despite being Persian, he has been described as “America’s most popular poet” and his poems have been translated into many different languages.

The following poem is about accepting and welcoming all our emotions – good and bad – because we can learn from them all.

Read the poem and then find the vocabulary below. Let us know what you think of this poem and of Sufi’s work!

Poem

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 all in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been set
as a guide from beyond.

Vocabulary

Arrival – someone or something that has come to a place : someone or something that has arrived.

Joy – a feeling of great happiness.

Meanness – the quality of not being kind to people : cruel or harsh.

Momentary – lasting a very short time : lasting only a moment.

Unexpected – not expected.

Entertain  – to have people as guests in your home or in a public place (such as a restaurant). to keep them amused.

Sorrows – a feeling of sadness or grief caused especially by the loss of someone or something.

Sweep – to move or pass quickly, forcefully, or smoothly. In this case, also to remove (something).

Honorably – to do something that deserves honor and respect.

Clearing out – to remove unwanted things from (an area or place).

Delight – a strong feeling of happiness : great pleasure or satisfaction.

Shame – a feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness that you have because you know you have done something wrong.

Malice – a desire to cause harm to another person.