As the cool dawn brings the light <br />to the desert where the blue-white sky <br />meets the sand that time and man have brought, <br />and you wake the camel boy <br />to lead the camels from the waterside – <br /> <br />before you mount the lurching beast <br />and sway off into the desert on your path, <br />the camel-bells tinkling on the harness, <br /> <br />look into the camel’s eyes. <br />There you will see mingled, <br />pride in its being; patience in its duty. <br /> <br />The wise men say that God is found <br />where opposites meet and are resolved. <br />Proud in its being, patient in its duty – <br />no great wonder, then, that the camel <br />has been chosen of God to take you <br />across the desert of your destiny in faith and trust; <br /> <br />for in the world of metaphor, where man meets God <br />in the mind’s own language, <br />the camel is your body; dutiful proud servant <br />for the journey you must take; your company <br />for the length of time that journey takes. <br /> <br />So, traveller, when you reach the green and cool oasis <br />at the ending of the day’s sufficient journey - <br />first tie your camel by the waters of refreshment <br />before you kneel; for food; for prayer; then <br />resting in the bright-eyed company; <br />the eyes of those who scan the round horizon as they ride <br />and wonder always, what oasis lies beyond.<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-the-spirit-of-rumi-39-the-desert/
