217 <br /> <br />What hidden sweetness there is in this emptiness of the belly! <br />Man is surely like a lute, no more and no less; <br />For if, for instance, the belly of the lute becomes full, no <br />lament high or low will arise from that full lute. <br />If your brain and belly are on fire through fasting, because of <br />the fire every moment a lament will arise from your breast. <br />Every moment you will burn a thousand veils by that fire; you <br />will mount a hundred steps with zeal and endeavor. <br />Become empty of belly, and weep entreatingly like the reed <br />pipe; become empty of belly, and tell secrets with the reed pen. <br />If your belly is full at the time of concourse, it will bring Satan <br />in place of your reason, an idol in place of the Kaaba. <br />When you keep the fast, good habits gather together before <br />you like slaves and servants and retinue. <br />Keep the fast, for that is Solomon’s ring; give not the ring to <br />the div, destroy not your kingdom. <br />Even if your kingdom has gone from your head and your army <br />has fled, your army will rise up, pennants flying above them. <br />The table arrived from heaven to the tents of the fast, by the <br />intervention of the prayers of Jesus, son of Mary. <br />In the fast, be expectant of the table of bounty, for the table of <br />bounty is better than the broth of cabbages.<br /><br />Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-hidden-sweetness-is-there/
