Poem: A Quandary of Gorgeous Song
December 17, 2007 by danielabdalhayymoore
A QUADARY OF GORGEOUS SONG
The Prophet Muhammad’s arrived again
with an entourage of saints
Birds are flying in such a way
the sky is streaked with gold
He settles down to a cool murmur
and everywhere rivers flow
None of our words are anything
but his messages of silver
Their light is like a thousand universes
with a thousand burning suns
Once seen he can’t be forgotten
Once heard he can’t be ignored
Beauty denied is
justice thrown down a well
Justice denied is
beauty left bleeding on the road
He’s left us with ourselves at last
in a quandary of gorgeous song
11/28/2007 (from Tall Tales in Short Takes)
(Goethe’s Subtle Praise/Poem on Muhammad Gersang)
In Thousand Forms, A Hundred Names
IN thousand forms may you attempt surprise,
Yet, all-Beloved-one, straight know I you;
Thou may with magic veils your Face disguise,
And yet, all-Present-one, straight know I you.
Upon the cypress’ purest, youthful bud,
All-Beauteous-growing-one, straight know I you;
In the canal’s unsullied, living flood,
All-Captivating-one, well know I you.
When spreads the water-column, rising proud,
All-Supportive one, how gladly know I you;
When, even in forming, is transformed the cloud,
All-figure-changing-one, there know I you.
Veil in the meadow-carpet’s flowery charms,
All-checkered-starry-fair-one, know I you;
And if a plant extend its thousand arms,
O, all-Embracing-one, there know I you.
When on the mount is kindled morn’s sweet light,
Straightway, all-gladdening-one, salute I you,
The arch of heaven over head grows pure and bright,
All-Heart-expanding-one, then breathe I you.
That which my inward, outward sense proclaims,
You all-instructing-One, I know through you;
And if I utter Allah’s hundred Names,
A Name with each One echoes, meant for You.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(Book of Suleika adapted from Rumi Divan)