I Trust You

[artemis42]

The soul is a newly skinned hide, bloody
and gross. Work on it with manual discipline,
and the bitter tanning acid of grief.

You'll become lovely and very strong.
If you can't do this work yourself, don't worry.
You don't have to make a decision, one way or another.

The Friend, who knows a lot more than you do,
will bring difficulties and grief and sickness,
as medicine, as happiness, as the moment

when you're beaten, when you hear Checkmate,
and can finally say with Hallaj's voice,
I trust you to kill me.

-Rumi

Comments

[emjay11235.livejournal.com]

I often skim by poems and songs when I read them. Rumi's opening line slowed me to focus within the poem.

Is _I Trust You_ Rumi's title or yours?

[artemis42]

Well, it's really Coleman Barks' title, as Rumi originally spoke this spontaneous poetry aloud, which was copied down by scribes.

I love the first paragraph deeply, and I know its accuracy within.

Deeply grateful also for your comments and understanding.

-Me.