Rumi: The Moon is the Same Moon

I adore Rumi. I read this poem recently and it struck home. Enjoy!

The Moon is the Same Moon

Know that the world of created things
Is like pure and limpid water
In which shine the attributes
Of the Omnipotent One
Consciousness, justice, mercy
Are like stars of heaven
Reflected in the running water.
Kings are the theater
Of the royalty of God;
Sages are the mirrors
Of God's Eternal Wisdom.
Generations have passed away,
A new generation has come;
The moon is the same moon
But the water's not the same.
Justice is the same justice,
Knowledge the same knowledge,
But generation has replaced generation
In a long and endless chain.
Generation after generation
Have gone into the dark
But the Divine Attributes
Are changeless and eternal.
The water in this river
Has changed innumerable times;
The reflection of the moon and stars
Has remained unaltered.
Its origin is not the water
But the Light-Kingdoms of Heaven.

(Originally from the Mathnawi; Source: Teachings of Rumi by Andrew Harvey)