Poem: Rumi, A World Dense With Greeting

The world comes every day at dawn. "Good
to see you again, my friend. The peace

of God be with you." No matter where
you are or what you're doing, talking,

silent, asleep, soul comes and greets
you like that. Your soul sees your

purity. Body sees your pretensions and
deceit. You are a rose that heals

woundedness. "Hello again," call out
the thorns. I go to the village chief.

I say, "God be with you." He gives me
a glass of wine. "Hold this carefully.

Keep it safe." "The peace of God," I tell
him. "But did you know that I am crazy?"

I like to sit in the fire with Abraham."
Then I turn and thank God. Salaam

Aleichem. I walk out. The world is
dense with greeting. I respond in kind,

then back into the cave with my Beloved.
Subtle artwork appears everywhere.

It's so fine to be with you.