Poems and Aphorisms 17

Modesty

The modest person doesn’t speak

His actions speak for him

O Ego!

O crafty nuisance!

Bringer of selfish need

You’ve challenged me ever since

I made you the steed

Distracting me from remembrance

Of the Almighty One

Dissuading me from inheritance

Of the sweet, beloved son*

Claiming to be my companion

But in my time of need

Deserted me in the canyon

Of deadly lust and greed

Leading me along roads

That were never-ending dead ends

Depressing abodes

Without purpose or friends

You came to me in sleep

And when I was awake

A moment alone I’d keep

But for your selfish sake

Fame and wealth you urged me reap

Bonds you caused me to sever

Eyes you made weep

You found me weak, I found you clever

Then one day I awoke

By repenting with regret

To the All-Forgiving I spoke

Straight my affairs He set

Your insinuations I began to fight

Seeing the world anew

My heart became white

Many faults became a few

Now I reach for the misbaha**

Before I move to sin

The Truth is seen from afar

Look from without to see within

I’ll taste the benefits in the second  

With my heart alight with love

I’ll sail to the palaces that beckon

In the Heavens above

*Beloved son refers to the Prophet Muhammad. Not in the sense of being a begotten son, but a son in the sense of being a creation of the Creator.

**Misbaha: rosary beads