The Invitation
by Oriah
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest mehow old you are.I want to knowif you will risklooking like a foolfor lovefor your dreamfor the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets aresquaring your moon…I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrowif you have been opened by life’s betrayalsor have become shriveled and closedfrom fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with painmine or your ownwithout moving to hide itor fade itor fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joymine or your ownif you can dance with wildnessand let the ecstasy fill youto the tips of your fingers and toeswithout cautioning usto be carefulto be realisticto remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.I want to know if you can disappoint anotherto be true to yourself.If you can bearthe accusation of betrayaland not betray your own soul.If you can be faithlessand therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beautyeven when it is not prettyevery day.And if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failureyours and mineand still stand at the edge of the lakeand shout to the silver of the full moon,“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest meto know where you liveor how much money you have.I want to know if you can get upafter the night of grief and despairweary and bruised to the boneand do what needs to be doneto feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you knowor how you came to be here.I want to know if you will standin the centre of the firewith meand not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whomyou have studied.I want to knowwhat sustains youfrom the insidewhen all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alonewith yourselfand if you truly like the company you keepin the empty moments.
–
By Oriah © Mountain Dreaming, from the book The Invitation published by HarperONE, San Francisco, 1999.
–
The first time I read this poem from the book Spiritual Intelligence: The Ultimate Intelligence by Danah Zohar & Ian Marshall in the 2000s. Since then I have often found this poem in various media, also from a friend in Tsu (a platform similar to Virily) who knew the poet directly. For me, this poem is very extraordinary.
-
Question of
Have you ever read this poem before?
-
Yes
-
-
Question of
Do you get something interesting or impressive in this poem?
-
Yes
-
Users voted 7 times.
Q: HAVE YOU EVER READ THIS POEM BEFORE?
Yes (4 votes) – 100%
Q: DO YOU GET SOMETHING INTERESTING OR IMPRESSIVE IN THIS POEM?
Yes (10 votes) – 100%
Really great post Albert! I’ll bet you ten bucks that there were no no votes in your poll.
Have a great day man.
Thanks a lot for the compliment, Howard. So far there are 4 & 10 votes for both questions.
Thanks for the compliment about the photo.
Yes, the poem is good and very impressive for me. Glad you like it too.
Users voted 5 times.
Q: Have you ever read this poem before?
Yes (3 votes) – 100%
Q: Do you get something interesting or impressive in this poem?
Yes (8 votes) – 100%
I exactly feel like Carol, that I can be alone with myself and enjoy the company. I know someone that has always been alone, and he hate being alone. You can count on us when you feel alone. The Virily family cares!
I like to be alone in certain contexts but also never feel alone, even though I like being in Virily’s family especially because you are here.
I have not read that song yet. I have to browse the web a bit, because the song is beautiful.
The poem was indeed beautiful, deep and impressive, Vida. It once became inspirational stuff for my reflection and introspection.
I will stand with you in the fire.
I will rise to defend you from the flames.
I will comfort you when you are burned.
But I will stand there with you.
You are the flame that cools me from the hell of the world…
I am the shade that protects you as you are the shade that protects me.
I am there my friend!
Under your shade
I stare at the sun
With your hand
I hold it.
There is an empathy that spreads from the shade. That is where to stand. To be safe for a time!
Great poem with great poetry , thank you for sharing
I totally agree with your opinion, and that’s the reason I share it here. Thank you.
First time hearing about this author and poem…
It’s beautiful and meaningful…
it posts a few interesting questions for us to think about
Only those who dare to challenge themselves are able to appreciate and reflect deeply, like you.
Thank you, but that is too much of a high hat for me
You deserve to get it, dear friend.
I haven’t read this poem before , but yeah I will dance with wildness and ecstasy and be true ti myself always.
Only people who dare to be completely free can say what you say, Dawn. It was great!
Have never read this before but I really was drawn into the words of inspiration.
My favorite line… I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keepin the empty moments.
–
When I first read this poem, I felt how this poem was like challenging the reader to dare to let go of all attachments to the world and become an authentic, fully self.
You choose a very strong line, Carol.
I feel we should always challenge ourselves and the result is usually we become a better stronger person, inside and out.
I totally agree with you, Carol. May we always dare to accept challenges and get out of the arena with wisdom.
This is the first time I hear about this author. I needed to ask Mr. Google about her!( It’s a lady. Am I right?)? As I can understand, it’s a great poem.
Yes, the poet is a woman. I am sure from the beginning that you will appreciate this poem.
Looks like you’re starting to know me!?
Are you not curious if I say that I know you a lot?
I am like an open book! ?
The poem is touching.
I agree with your opinion, and that’s the reason I share it here. Thank you.
The song and also the author are completely unknown to me, dear friend
Understandable, dear friend. Generally only those who love poetry find and read it, moreover this is not a general poem.
Thank you for your understanding, my dear friend
Very much welcome. We are good friends, right?
It’s really very good .. I did not think I was going to meet Viriliu with such a good man, an excellent friend