if you are a man of this life
then march on this path like a man
or retire and take refuge in your house
since you’re not ready for this battlereal men drank a thousand seas and
still died of thirst
you only had a cup
yet boasted of overflowingyou claimed to reach your quest
you’ll raise all the dust
yet you’ve travelled no distance
you’ve left no marknow humbly turn to dust
under the gallop of real men
then you’ll rise and
become a part of their journeyif you crawl for years
on the path of your quest
do not yield to grief
do not submit to distress
Rumi
Translated by Nader Khalili
Courtesy Sunlight Ruminations