I asked the passing strangers <br />in the fine street of the wise, <br />‘Tell me about your Self itself’ <br /> <br />The first man said to me <br />‘It is like a rose garden <br />planted around a fountain – <br />it is always beautiful, <br />changing, yet unchanging; <br />it is the very centre <br />of my peace and rest…’ <br /> <br />The second man said to me <br />‘It is like a treasure house of riches – <br />full of more sparkling, deep-coloured jewels <br />than anyone’s imagination <br />could ever begin to describe; <br />as beautiful as anything <br />in heaven or on earth…’ <br /> <br />The third man said to me <br />‘It is like a mine of gold and silver <br />where you only have to dig <br />and there is always more to find…’ <br /> <br />To the first man I said <br />‘You are indeed blest, <br />O noble sir… and must have earned yourself <br />this great honour…tell me, <br />do you invite every passing stranger <br />to walk and sit in that garden with you? ’ <br /> <br />He said <br />‘Yes; I am a poet.’ <br /> <br />To the second man I said <br />‘You are indeed blest, <br />O noble sir… and must have earned yourself <br />this great honour… tell me, <br />do you invite every passing stranger <br />into your treasure house, saying, <br />take all you need - <br />to make rich their life, too? ’ <br /> <br />He said <br />‘Yes; I am a poet.’ <br /> <br />To the third man I said <br />‘You are indeed blest, <br />O noble sir… and must have earned yourself <br />this great honour… tell me, <br />do you invite every passing stranger <br />to come and dig whenever he so needs? ’ <br /> <br />He said <br />‘Yes; I am a poet.’<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-the-spirit-of-rumi-35-three-answers/
