don't ruin this chance with politeness and easy promises

The soul of community
is coming toward us
the sun on his forehead,
wine jar in his right hand,
stride by stride.
Don't ruin this chance
with politeness
and easy promises.
The help we called for
is here,
the invitation to join
with great souls.
Any place we gather is a ceremony
on the approach to Kaaba.
Meaning: pass quickly through your being
into absence.
The self of your name and fame
secures you with a new knot
every moment.
Personal identity is a sheath.
The creator of that, a sword.
The blade slices in and unites,
worn covering over bright steel,
love purifying love.

Rumi
translated by Coleman Banks