An Offer He Can't Refuse

Once there was a friendship forged,
under sun and under bough,
'round table and bread, our singing led
to moments still felt now.

Then path he took, to Western look,
and forged along the way,
a missing space, a trail of grace
--a hook for later days...

When 'reunite' (and such a sight!)
would write upon their hearts
and lives and limbs,
(though both be thin), a prayer-like other-art.

But Who'd have thought that sister's babe
unmade yet making way
would provide the path
to home at last, and be a cause to say:

"There is room right next to mine,
it awaits like empty nest,
and after Western travels spent,
why not come take rest?

Live with your friend and brother same
and know that legends wrought,
under sun and under bough,
are lightly broken naught."

Ode 2180

From these depths depart towards heaven;
may your soul be happy, journey joyfully.
You have escaped from the city full of fear and trembling;
happily become a resident of the Abode of Security (dar-al-salam)
If the body’s image has gone, await the image-maker; if the
body is utterly ruined, become all soul.
If your face has become saffron pale through death, become a
dweller among tulip beds and Judas trees.
If the doors of repose have been barred to you, come, depart
by way of the roof and the ladder.
If you are alone from Friends and companions, by the help of
God become a saheb-qeran (lord of happy circumstance).
If you have been secluded from water and bread, like bread
become the food of the souls, and so become!

-Jelalludin Rumi

The essential thing

is to love them by feeding them. To offer all you can offer.
bread can transform, because it was transformed.

this small grain and what's behind it
has brought us together

around this table.