Just some poems

[Guest guest]

I found these on some other groups and thought this group would enjoy

them as much as I have. Love to all, Julie

 

I hope it's not too lengthy....

 

Wearing other peoples hat

"Nasrudin why is it people laugh at you?"

 

"Well," said Nasrudin, "Think of me as a turban.

 

The nature of laughter exposes the false. If

 

people laughed at themselves they would

 

feel naked. Therefore I provide them with a

 

'head covering'."

 

"But Nasrudin, they are still naked!"

 

"Shhhhh," said Nasrudin smiling . . .

 

 

 

 

[edit]

True words

Nasrudin, ventured into a biker bar in

 

the Bronx and clearing his throat asked,

 

"Um, err, which of you gentlemen

 

owns the Doberman tied outside

 

to the parking meter?"

 

A giant of a man, wearing biker leathers,

 

his body hair growing out through

 

the seams, turned slowly on his stool,

 

looked down at the quivering

 

Nasrudin and said,

 

"It's my dog. Why?"

 

"Well," squeaked Nasrudin, obviously

 

very nervous, "I believe my dog

 

just killed it, sir."

 

"What?" roared the big man in disbelief.

 

"What kind of dog do you have?"

 

"Sir," answered Nasrudin,

 

"It's a four week old puppy."

 

"Nonsense!" roared the biker, "How could

 

your puppy kill my Doberman?"

 

"It appears that he choked on it, sir."

 

 

 

 

[edit]

Wisdom from the Hidden Realms

Two children found a bag containing twelve marbles. They argued over

how

 

to divide the toys and finally went to see the Mulla. When asked to

settle

 

their disagreement, the Mulla asked whether the children wanted him to

 

divide the marbles as a human would or as God would.

 

The children replied, "We want it to be fair. Divide the marbles as

God

 

would."

 

So, the Mulla counted out the marbles and gave three to one child and

nine

 

to the other."

 

[edit]

Last Wishes

Nasrudin is with his cronies drinking coffee:

 

They are discussing death, "When you are in your casket and friends

and

 

family are

 

mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"

 

The first crony says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a

great

 

doctor of my time, and a great family man."

 

The second says, " I would like to hear that I was a wonderful

 

husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our

children of

 

tomorrow."

 

Nasrudin says, " I would like to hear them say... LOOK!! HE'S

 

MOVING!!!"

 

 

 

Orthodoxy and heresy

"Nasrudin is your religion orthodox?"

 

"It all depends," said Nasrudin,

 

"on which bunch of heretics is in power."

 

 

 

The Nature of the Unseen

It seems that the Master of Mirth and Chief of the Dervishes,

Nasrudin was

 

once called to pontificate on the 'Nature of God' in the local mosque.

 

Present where the many Imams and Dr's of the Islamic Law. Out of

courtesy

 

and because Nasrudin could not be counted on saying anything

worthwhile, these

 

illustrious guests explained and inspired the audience with their

eloquence and

 

wisdom.

 

Finally it was Nasrudins turn to explain 'the Nature of God'.

 

"God . . .", started Nasrudin impressively "is . . ."

 

Nasrudin removed and held up an ovoid mauve vegetable from the folds

of his

 

turban, " . . . an aubergine."

 

There was uproar at this blasphemy. When order was finally

established,

 

Nasrudin was reluctantly asked to explain his words.

 

"I conclude that everyone has spoken of what they do not know or have

not

 

seen. We can all see this aubergine. Is there anyone who can deny

that God is

 

manifest in all things?"

 

Nobody could.

 

"Very well," said Nasrudin, "God is an aubergine."

 

 

 

who died?

A traveler was passing through town when he came upon a huge funeral

procession. Nasrudin was on a corner watching the people pass by.

 

"Who died?" the traveler asked Nasrudin.

 

"I'm not sure," replied Nasrudin, "but I think it's the one in the

coffin."

 

 

 

underwater

nasrudin the diver worked 200 feet under the surface, when suddenly a

venerable yogi floated into his range of vision, without any

breathing apparatus. "oh master! what are you doing at such a depth?"

wrote surprised nasrudin on his writing-slate. the guru snatched the

slate and china-pencil, and wrote furiously: "drowning, you idiot!"

 

 

 

Fishing...

Nasrudin heard that the king sent out a committee seeking incognito,

suitable candidates for kadis (judges). The King took to walking

around carrying

 

an old fishing net on his shoulder. When the members of the committee

 

reached his village, it drew their attention and they questioned him

about it.

 

"Oh, I carry this net with me to remind me of my humble past as a

poor

fisherman," explained nassrudin. the committee was impressed,

 

and in due time Nasrudin was nominated as a kadi.

 

Shortly afterwards those king's representatives met Nasrudin again

and noticed the net was gone.

 

"Where is the net, Nasrudin?" they asked.

"Well, you don't need the net after the fish is caught, do you?"

replied Nasrudin

 

He Also Made the Key

 

When I entered the city

you moved away.

When I left the city

you didn't even look up to say good-bye.

 

I'll accept your kindness,

I'll accept your insult.

I'll accept whatever you have to give.

 

Your radiance shines

in every atom of creation

yet our petty desires keep it hidden.

 

Like the beautiful wife of a prince

You dwell in a lonely place.

If you came out of hiding

the veil on every face would fall.

 

You confound the doubting heart,

Your intoxicate the faithful head.

You have robbed every soul of its senses,

You have brought every heart to your breast.

 

All roses fall prey to December.

All intellect falls prey to love's glory.

 

Since the rose is not eternal

Why be captured by its scent?

Let me know your secrets -

Only the ones that last forever.

 

How many men have found tragic ends

running after beauty?

Why don't they look for you? -

the heart and spirit of all beauty.

 

You formed man from a handful of dust.

You gave him the power to know the highest truth.

You freed him from the snares of this world

with one breath of your spirit.

 

O love,

O heart,

Find the way to heaven.

Find the way to God's pasture.

You have spend enough time

in this pasture made for cattle.

 

Set your sights on a place

Higher than your eyes can see.

For it was the higher aim

that brought you here

in the first place.

 

Now be silent.

Let the One who creates the words speak.

He made the door.

He made the lock.

He also made the key.

 

-- Version by Jonathan Star

"Rumi - In the Arms of the Beloved"

Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, New York 1997