opening

Opening the letter of the body's life

inside the words.  This body, your life, is a letter

to the king of the universe.

Go to a private place and open it and read to see if

the words are right.  If they

aren't, start another!  And don't think it's easy to open

the body and read the secret

message.  This is the most courageous work, not something

for children playing with knucklebones in the dirt.

Open to the title page.  Is what it says there the same as what you

have said it says?  If

you're carrying a heavy sack, empty out the stones!  Bring

only what should be given.

~ Rumi

from The Soul of Rumi

translation by Coleman Barks