Helena Bonham Carter gives a reading of the Jalaluddin Rumi poem, ‘The Guest House’ that appears in Allie Esiri’s anthologies ‘A Poem for Every Night of the Year’ and ‘A Poem for Every Autumn Day’. Helena reads this for the launch of the anthology, ‘A Poem for Every Autumn Day’, in a film made during the lockdown summer of 2020 in Wiltshire, England, directed by Paul Weiland.

More info on Allie’s books, audiobooks, shows and poetry app, please visit:
Website www.allieesiri.com
Twitter @allieesiri
Instagram @allieesiri

Allie’s anthologies contain poems for every day of the year, each one with an introduction. Here is how this poem appears in the books:

In this poem it almost sounds as if the thirteenthcentury Persian poet Rumi is telling his readers to embrace dark thoughts, shame and malice. But what he is really saying is to ‘invite them in’; don’t ignore your feelings. They may be of some higher significance.

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 its furniture,
still treat each guest honourably.
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.