! In The Spirit Of Rumi - 51: Beyond Artifice Poem by Michael Shepherd

Because I am a poet
and you are a poet

I would like to talk to you today
of how when My Beloved
smiles at me with that open smile
that asks nothing but the freedom
to express itself

then I can only think of
that white rose which this morning
took my breath away with its
innocent whiteness, its pure whiteness
with just a hint of a blush as if
it astonishes even itself

or I could speak of the white rose
which reminds me of
the smile of My Beloved

but in truth, the likeness
of these two becomes one
not in my poem but
in myself as I gaze with wonder
at white rose; receive
the smile of My Beloved which asks nothing;

and God, looking at me looking,
God who is all three of us