Gratitude: that's happening here!

Blog Published: June 25, 2013
By Sister Julie

It's been a busy couple weeks filled with work and even a little vacation! After finishing a big project, I'm left a bit tired but very grateful. Thought I'd share one of my favorite poems on gratitude.

What Was Told, That

What was said to the rose that made it open
was said to me here in my chest.

What was told the Cypress that made it strong
and straight, what was

whispered the jasmine so it is what it is, whatever made
sugarcane sweet, whatever

was said to the inhabitants of the town of Chigil in
Turkestan that makes them

so handsome, whatever lets the pomegranate flower blush
like a human face, that is

being said to me now. I blush. Whatever put eloquence in
language, that's happening here.

The great warehouse doors open; I fill with gratitude,
chewing a piece of sugarcane,

in love with the one to whom every that belongs!

Poem by Rumi, a 13th c. Persian Muslim poet, theologian, and Sufi mystic Translation by Coleman Barks

Recent Comments

Submitted by debin on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 22:10

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Hey, Sister Julie, congrats on finishing the project! Thanks for sharing the great poem. -deb-