The Habit of Anger

The Guest House by Rumi

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 are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of it's 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.

At the center of anger: moonstones by Natalie Breaux

round and round she paced
the flame of anger
shooting from spine to face.
wanting to run
or strike
words caught in the throat
throb and choke
"anger do not come today!"
Rumi is your gracious host,
his guest house your true destination
she stands defiant
forgetting your last visit
where probing gingerly through your fiery facade
she found at your center: moonstones
9/8/8


In the throes of unwinding 18 years of marriage, a lot of emotions come up. I so wanted to be the person embodied in Rumi's poem, and sometimes that happened. A lot of times it didn't. I wrote this poem about what it's like to want to be that person but not quite pulling it off. When I was able to be present with anger or other intense emotions, it was an amazing experience, but my past conditioning was pretty strong.