Red Brocade

Red Brocade

The Arabs used to say,
When a stranger appears at your door,
feed him for three days
before asking who he is,
where he’s come from,
where he’s headed. 
That way, he’ll have strength 
enough to answer.
Or, by then you’ll be 
such good friends
you don’t care.

Let’s go back to that.
Rice? Pine nuts?
Here, take the red brocade pillow.
My child will serve water
to your horse.

No, I was not busy when you came!
I was not preparing to be busy.
That’s the armor everyone put on
to pretend they had a purpose
in the world.

I refuse to be claimed.
Your plate is waiting.
We will snip fresh mint
into your tea.

~Naomi Shihab Nye

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One Response to Red Brocade

  1. Michele says:

    Beautiful. The quietness of it, the lovely sensual imagery of red brocade and mint, the idea of asking nothing of your guest — only giving. Lovely.

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