Jeff Olmsted: Music
The Sunrise Ruby
(Rumi translation by Coleman Barks, music by Jeff Olmsted)
Special guest Kim Lesley is the Yogini of Funk.
In the early morning hour, lover and beloved wake,
and take a drink of water.
She says, do you love me or yourself more
Really, tell me the absolute truth.
He says, there’s nothing left of me.
I’m like a ruby held up to the sunrise.
Is it still a stone, or a world made of redness?
It has no resistance to light.
Be courageous and discipline yourself.
Completely become hearing and ear,
and wear this sun-ruby as an earring.
Work. Don’t think about getting off work.
Keep digging your well.
Water is there somewhere.
Submit to a daily practice.
Your loyalty to that is a ring on the door.
Keep knocking.
Eventually the joy inside
will open a window and look out
to see who’s there.