growing curious

the worm's waking

The Worm's Waking

This is how a human being can change:

there's a worm addicted to eating

grape leaves.

Suddenly, he wakes up,

call it grace, whatever, something

wakes him, and he's no longer a worm.

He's the entire vineyard,

and the orchard too, the fruit, the trunks,

a growing wisdom and joy

that doesn't need

to devour.

-- by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, from The Essential Rumi

rumi and a good day

I had a good day today.  I woke up at 5:30, showered, and went out into the garden.  I plucked 160 green beans.  I came in and washed them and then went out into the world before E was awake.  (Mothers will know of the bliss I felt to wake up, do my own thing and then leave the roost before the wake-up drill began.)

I went to see my mentor/therapist after some months of not being able to get away, and it was wonderful to see her.

Afterwards, I crossed the river and visited a friend who was making salsa.  I sat while she chopped, and it was wonderful to just be in someone else's kitchen and chat for awhile.  Later, we enjoyed her garden and then went to a nearby nursery to get tickets for the Tour de Coops next weekend.

"The beast you ride is your various appetites.

Change your wantings.  When you prune

weak branches, the remaining fruit

gets tastier.  Lust can be redirected,

so that even when it takes you backward,

it goes toward shelter."

--Rumi from The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks