the secret lies in the present…

I recently found this poem on Clyde’s Blog, http://opinionatedoldfart.wordpress.com/ and decided to re-post it here. It is by Jelaluddin Rumi, a 13th century Persian Muslim poet and theologian. This poem so suits a current transformation the Lord is undergoing within me (will post on later). And I especially loved Rumi’s mention of alchemists! 🙂

Not Here

There’s courage involved if you want
to become truth. There is a broken-

open place in a lover. Where are
those qualities of bravery and sharp

compassion in this group? What’s the
use of old and frozen thought? I want

a howling hurt. This is not a treasury
where gold is stored; this is for copper.

We alchemists look for talent that
can heat up and change. Lukewarm

won’t do. Halfhearted holding back,
well-enough getting by? Not here.