When Sadness Comes to Visit
Against all instinct,
Don’t run away.
Try not to fix anything.
Don’t get busy
Cleaning the house
Or running errands.
Just sit down with it.
Offer it a cup of tea.
There may be nothing left
To talk about,
So just stare out the window
Together.
Pretty soon,
You’ll be distracted
By a bird at the feeder
Or by a shadow cast
By the trees
At this time of day.
Why hadn’t you
Ever noticed that before?
Coming back,
You will look over and,
Without knowing how or why,
Sadness will be gone,
At least for now.
Maybe you will pick up a brush
Or a pen
And try to recreate
The shadow and light
That you discovered
Together.
By Maria Brady-Smith
Photo by Mike Smith
Beautiful. So rich in its’ simplicity.
Thank you, Jenny!
I’m hearing lessons from Rumi and the Buddha in the picture that you are creating with your beautiful words.
That is funny. A couple of weeks ago I came across a Rumi poem called “Guest House” that kind of reminded me of this poem (only better, of course). I am sure he copied it from me:)
I love that poem Maria. It is so wonderful to just sit with ones pain and let God communicate through listening and reflecting. I love your piety. God has given you such a beautiful gift through your poetry.
Thank you, Judy. You are very kind.
Thanks I need this poem. very much.