Zeit bites: Poems you should read

Poetry is having a renaissance, what with poets such as New Zealander Hera Lindsay Bird, the United States’ Loma (Christopher Soto) and Morgan Parker, and IndianCanadian Rupi Kaur attaining almost rock star status.

But let’s go back to the father of popular poetry, 13th-century Persian and Muslim poet

Rumi’s spiritual, social, human observations – in poetry and lectures – have been shining light in darkness for 800 years. Faith, forgiveness and love are the brightest facets of Rumi’s writing.

‘‘Come, come, whoever you are,’’ he wrote. ‘‘Wanderer, idolator, worshipper of fire, come even though you have broken your vows a thousand

Rumi.

times, come, and come yet again. Ours is not a caravan of despair.’’

Guest House is a poem that is so good not even Coldplay quoting it in Kaleidoscope could ruin it.

‘‘This human being is a guest house,’’ it begins, inviting us to explore the way our sometimes difficult emotions come and go, without judgment.

‘‘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 honourably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.’’

The next time someone tries telling you one religion is better or more true than another, read them One Song. ‘‘The differences are just illusion and vanity,’’ wrote Rumi. ‘‘Sunlight looks a little different on this wall than it does on that wall, and a lot different on this other one, but it is still one light.’’

Finally, if you’re ever confused, or lost, or you doubt yourself, Rumi had an answer for that, too.

‘‘Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.’’

Check out The Big Red Book and The Essential Rumi for more. – Kylie Klein-Nixon