Poems and Aphorisms 19

Excitement

In the moment

Adrenalin rushing

Eyes wide open

Neurons firing

Fully alive                                      

Fully functioning

Soul and matter unite

So exciting

As you twiddle your beads in the park

Feel that wooden spark

Reciting Meccan and Madinan words

Your spirit soars as high as the birds

Back home, you place your head upon the floor

That excitement of being close, you crave more

I only speak for those far away

Who wonder where they’ll stand that Day

Every now and then we get a taste

And for a while from sins we’re chaste

But alas, comes the mocking bird

Whose tunes the sinner’s plenty heard

“You’re on a path to death—the final moment”

I reply, “I am full of excitement.”

Because, without a tear, I’ll leave this temporal place

To enter barzakh’s* grace

No cheer from the guide

Onlookers shall sigh

“Do not despair oh lonely one

Our Lord’s will be done.”

‘Tis music to my ears

I hope Heaven hears

My excitement

*Barzakh is the temporal period between this life and the Hereafter. 

Poems and Aphorisms 18

Goodness

Disregard the feelings of the other

Fitra, smothers the Devil’s whispers:

“Mock, humiliate, hurt,

Your own status assert”

But the brave dis-incline

Cause peace rather than crying

Inspire, whom others admire

Who don’t give in to selfish desire

Tis hard to be strong and fair

Extend a hand, and show care

Criticising comes easy

Using insults as currency

But the empath will reign

And make the world sane

Give to charitable organisations

Through generous donations

And skip through the meadows

On a cloud of cheerful serenity

Through good actions character grows

With altruism, water your tree

And so, the saga continues

The choice between right and wrong

Be goodness and receive good news

Sing Heaven’s song