This poem is part of the Poems for doctors project. You can find out more about the project here.

Season 3 : poem 2

Junior doctor Imogen Murray reads The Guest House by Jalaluddin Rumi translated by Coleman Barks.

The Guest House

Jalaluddin Rumi

Translated by Coleman Barks

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Rights: by permission of Penguin Books

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