Rumi on Ageing


 

           Why does a date-palm lose its leaves in autumn?

           Why does every beautiful face grow in old age

           Wrinkled like the back of a Libyan lizard?

           Why does a full head of hair get bald?

           Why is the tall, straight figure

           That divided the ranks like a spear

           Now bent almost double?

           Why is it that the

           Lion's strength weakens to nothing?

           The wrestler who could hold anyone down

           Is led out with two people supporting him,

           Their shoulders under his arms?

           God answers,

           "They put on borrowed robes

           And pretended they were theirs.

           I take the beautiful clothes back,

           So that you will learn the robe

           Of appearance is only a loan."

           Your lamp was lit from another lamp.

           All God wants is your gratitude for that.

                                       -Rumi (“Mathnavi”) 

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