once you conquer
        your selfish self
    all your darkness
        will change to light
                                    –Rumi

I lure him into the guest room,
    close and lock the door

I hear him whining, knocking
    as I walk downstairs

the living room fills with light–
    finally room for God!

we open a bottle of wine,
    put out cheese and crackers

talk and laugh,
    sing song of togetherness and freedom

"let's dance," says the Beloved
    my feet lift from the floor

upstairs, faintly…tapping
    the Beloved understands

(I will let him out, at some point;
    we will talk

but in this light,
    we shall see him for what he is–

lost and needy little ego
    small, lost and sad ego

I shall place a stool for him
    beside the fire)

We dance on…

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