I love this poem/song, I suppose it means different things to different people, like all poetry. For some reason, watching the news last night about the on-going horrible situation in Haiti, this song came to my mind.
One by one, the guests arrive The guests are coming through The open-hearted many The broken-hearted few
And no one knows where the night is going And no one knows why the wine is flowing Oh love I need you I need you I need you I need you Oh . . . I need you now
And those who dance, begin to dance Those who weep begin And "Welcome, welcome" cries a voice "Let all my guests come in."
And no one knows where the night is going ...
And all go stumbling through that house in lonely secrecy Saying "Do reveal yourself" or "Why has thou forsaken me?"
And no one knows where the night is going ...
All at once the torches flare The inner door flies open One by one they enter there In every style of passion
And no one knows where the night is going ...
And here they take their sweet repast While house and grounds dissolve And one by one the guests are cast Beyond the garden wall
And no one knows where the night is going ...
Those who dance, begin to dance Those who weep begin Those who earnestly are lost Are lost and lost again
And no one knows where the night is going ...
One by the guests arrive The guests are coming through The broken-hearted many The open-hearted few
And no one knows where the night is going ...
(Leonard Cohen, 'The Guests')
-- Edited by Lady Trueheart on Wednesday 12th of January 2011 03:22:33 PM
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're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. 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.