! In The Spirit Of Rumi - 71 - In Praise Of Metaphor Poem by Michael Shepherd

It’s not a playground where
you run around shouting
without noticing whether
there’s a listener

or a playgroup where
there’s paper, paste, scissors,
all over the place,
thoughts pasted on thoughts,
without noticing anyone else

no, it’s some specific calling,
saying, see that far-off other?
we’re related; see us as together,
your surprise may tell you
about that vastness –

maybe, awe, wonder, beauty,
wisdom, truth…goodness…

so treat me, metaphor,
as if god’s priest:
respectfully, sparingly, carefully;
as you would look at twins,
each sleeping, but holding hands;

love requires that