How big is your cup?

I heard the voice of Shams*
questioning
‘how big is your cup?’
and heart responds with a
resounding smile of recognition
before tricksy mind has a chance
to form its inevitable objection.
Head would shy away
bowing and scraping
in a show of unworthiness.
Heart instinctively moves forward
drawn by a growing flame and
all the while
knowing it will burn.

Burning away dead wood
cauterising and discarding
to reveal fresh tender shoots
vulnerable yet sturdy
containing within all knowledge
to become a vast, wide-spreading tree.

The question reveals
a willing heart, open
embracing wholeness
freedom, completeness
stepping whole-heartedly
into the flame
knowing it will burn
welcoming the burn.

© 15 Aug 17

*Shams of Tabriz was the dervish who inspired Rumi to become a poet