THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning has 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 are 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.
                                                  Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU HOUSE
or maybe the better question.      .      .
WHAT HOMES YOU.            .            .          ?
This would quantify/qualify has having a NEW YEAR’S DAY
not 17 days ago,
but each and every day, wouldn’t it,
without any of the knee jerk,
gotta’s, outta’s, should’a’s/would’a’s
better do it right away kind of RESOLUTIONS;
N   O.          .          .
If we treated every day as a new year’s day,
a do-over,
a let’s begin again,
start over
opportunity moment,
who would ever need a resolution to do better
when day by day
and all of the moments that compose them,
we just did our best
and open door welcomed
each thing that comes a knocking
as a gift,
a precious present presence
an invitation to be better,
just a little bit better.          .          .
well now
what a nice how guest that would be
to greet
and you,
oh you dear friend a host;
a hostest with the mostest.         .          .
with the bestest mostest yet to arrive
but always warm and cozily
a doorbell ring away
Mighty fine house you’ve got there.          .          .
Come on in.
Sit awhile or a lot.
YOU ARE WELCOME