RUMINATING ODES

"As there are billions of stars
There are billions of steps.
As there are billions of souls,
There are billions of ways to grow.

Don’t mind the destination,
Don’t mind the end.
Don’t mind the good or bad
or right and wrong.

Grow from the past,
But grab hold of now.
Now is always evolving."

~Rumi

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BE
Be like the sun for grace and mercy.
Be like the night to cover others' faults.

Be like running water for generosity.

Be like death for rage and anger.

Be like the Earth for modesty.

Appear as you are.
Be as you appear.

~Rumi

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"Do not look back,
No one knows how the world ever began.
Do not fear the future, Nothing lasts forever.
If you dwell on the past or future,
You will miss the moment."
~Rumi

🍃🌸💗🍃🌸💗🍃




"Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript of a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want,
you are already that."
~Rumi

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“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor...

Welcome and entertain them all.
Treat each guest honorably.
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.”

~Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

• MENU POEMS

A Beautiful Life (Male/Female)

"A beautiful life that came to an end, / He died as he lived, everyone's friend. / In our hearts a memory will always be kept, / of one we loved, and will never forget."

A Fallen Limb

A limb has fallen from the family tree. / I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me. / Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. / The good life I lived while I was strong. / Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. / Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. / My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. / Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small. / Go on with your life, don't worry about falls / I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. / Until the day comes we're together again.

• Author Unknown

A Perfect Day

When you come to the end of a perfect day, / And you sit alone with your thought, / While the chimes ring out with a carol gay, / For the joy that the day has brought, / Do you think what the end of a perfect day / Can mean to a tired heart, / When the sun goes down with a flaming ray, / And the dear friends have to part? / Well, this is the end of a perfect day, / Near the end of a journey, too, / But it leaves a thought that is big and strong, / With a wish that is kind and true. / For mem’ry has painted this perfect day / With colors that never fade, / And we find at the end of a perfect day, / The soul of a friend we’ve made.

• Carrie Jacobs-Bond

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me / to be a happy one. / I’d like to leave an afterglow / of smiles when life is done, / I’d like to leave an echo / whispering softly down the ways, / Of happy times and laughing times / and bright and sunny days. / I’d like the tears of those who grieve, / to dry before the sun, / of happy memories that I leave / When life is done.

• Helen Lowrie Marshall

Photo: 28 October 2017