I love the summer sunshine, since it shouts at me to come out and leap into life! I take lots of walks, impromptu picnics, café hopping and meeting up with wonderful friends. I am fixated on poetry lately, I’m reading Julia de Burgos and Rumi’s poetry again. This poetry greatly impacted me in my 30s and continues through my 50s.
I am falling back in love with the life spirit that was my 30s, where freedom, exploring, adventures and experiencing different cultures were a top priority. I’m finding my way back to that and it feels like home.
I’m so grateful for this time in my life but, then I learned to be grateful for all the times in my life, because they helped me to grow and develop, whether I wanted to or not. So I leave you with this Rumi poem and a few lines from Julia de Burgos…
THE GUEST HOUSE
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning 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 whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
— Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
Julia de Burgos
“…risk(ing) everything to be what I am
I am life, strength, woman.
belong(ing) to no one or to everyone
hair curled by the wind, face painted by the sun…”
Julia de Burgos
From my wildly passionate creative heart, to yours in peace.
RitaJC said
Thank you so much for sharing! Deep words!
Indigene said
Thank you Rita, for stopping by! 🙂
Deanna said
Beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing those words they are important ones to remember.
Indigene said
Thanks Deanna! Sometimes hearing things in a different way, makes the things that we know that much richer and filled with more clarity. Thanks again for stopping by! 🙂
keahn said
Wow, I really like this post. I love Rumi's poetry and I really enjoyed reading one of de Burgos's here. I have many poetry books on our shelves — I should revisit them. Thanks for reminding me with this post that I've been ignoring my love of poetry a wee bit too long.
Indigene said
Thanks so much for stopping by! The summer is when I love to read poetry. I like to have an artist’s date and take a book of poetry and sit in a park and read…I can reflect and also look at my surroundings, which causes me to do deeper. 🙂 Go and dust off those poetry books and start reading, it brings such insight. Thanks again for commenting. 🙂
Elouise said
Falling in love with your own life spirit at age 30–I love it! A wonderful decade–so much vitality and willingness to indulge new endeavors. You sound so free…just like the Rumi poem and the Julia quote. I want my hair to be curled by the wind, and I need all the guides I can get.
Blessings!
Indigene said
Thanks so much Elouise! You’re such an amazing writer, I can see why you’d love the poetry. Thank you for your kindness and your courage; it keeps me inspired and on track!
sandymair said
The timing of your post and Rumi's words are perfect for me . This is exactly what is happening to me and it's a magical stage of life.
Indigene said
I’m so glad to hear that Sandy! Sometimes the Universe gets back to us and let’s us know we’re on the right path! Thanks for stopping by!
Sue Grilli said
I just loved both of these pieces. Rumi's words spoke to me in allowing all to enter my house, great advice to give in to those feelings in order to open yourself up for new and better ones. Love it!
Indigene said
I so agree with you Sue! We need to always be open to things, no matter how fearful we “think” they are. Thanks so much for commenting. 🙂
kimpdx said
Lovely! Thank you for the poetry. Also for the delightful visions I get from the idea of impromptu picnics! I love the joy in this post.
Indigene said
Thanks Kim! I love picnics, it’s the best thing about Summer, as far as I’m concerned and it’s something you can do alone, too! I find it a great way to unwind. Thanks so much for commenting! 🙂
lulubeas said
Fantastic poem! Thank you for sharing!
Indigene said
Thank you For stopping by and commenting. 🙂