Coleman Barks

Saturday night we went with some friends to see Coleman Barks a world renouned Rumi poet. We are so fortunate that Chico has the ability to attract artists of his caliber. He recited his poems accompanied by the music of Barry and Shelley Phillips.About 300 people filled The Spiritual Enrichment Center and I can only imagine that they were as touched by the performance as I was. Jerry bought one of his CDs, Rumi--Five Things To Say and I have it playing right now as I write. Here is one of my favorites from the CD that he also recited on Saturday night:

Is there a human mouth that does not give out soul sound?
Is there love, a drawing together of any kind that is not sacred?

Every natural dog sniffs God in the stew.
Look inside your mind. Do you hear the crowd gathering?
Help coming every second.
Still you cover your eyes with mud. Wash your face.

Anyone who steps into an orchard walks inside the orchard keeper.
Millions of love tents bloom on the plain.
The star in the chest says, “None of this is outside you.”

Close your lips and let the maker of mouths talk.
The One who says…things.

Is there a human mouth that does not give out soul sound?
Is there a love, a drawing together of any kind that is not sacred?

Every natural dog sniffs God in the stew.
Look inside your mind.
Do you hear the crowd gathering?
Help coming every second.

Millions of love tents bloom on the plain.
The star in your chest says, “None of this is outside you.”

Close your lips now, and let the maker of mouths talk.
The One who says…things.

After the performance we connected with a couple that we had met at a Burningman party in the Fall. We all went back to our house for dessert and wine and he gifted us by reciting some Rumi poems in Turkish, his native tongue.