On Aging

Posted by DJL on Oct 12, 2013 in Poetry | 1 comment

In his poem “On Aging,” the 13th century Sufi mystic Rumi asks a question that we have all asked at one time or another. Why do we grow old? For that matter, why does everything grow old? His answer is strikingly similar to that of The Teacher, better known as the author of Ecclesiastes, who says that God places eternity into our hearts. We age, and are aware of our aging, in other words, that we might know that we not God, that we will not live for ever, and for this reason every moment of our lives is a gift.

Autumn, with its brilliant flash of color and falling leaves, somehow brings all these thoughts to mind. It’s a brilliant fall in both of my homes, Pennsylvania and Minnesota, a good reminder to enjoy the life that has been given as a gift.

On Aging

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 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, 1207-1273

Note: My friend Shelby sent me this poem. And friends, too, are one of those gifts we should always treasure!