Translated from Arabic by:
Naji Mourad
Joseph G. Yamouni
Elias Shaanin
**
Introduction
THE INK OF THE SCHOLAR IS MORE SACRED THAN THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYR.
MOHAMMED
The above statement is both exemplified and strengthened by Charbel Baini’s latest work, ‘In praise of Ali’. The English speaking world has been gifted by being allowed the pleasure of viewing this poet in the prime of his creativity and extend my personal thanks to the translators Naji Mourad, Joseph G.Yamouni and Elias Shaanin for their scholarly production. Translation from Arabic to English is a mind expanding exercise in verbal form alone. For the translators to retain poetic nuance as well as the ‘soul’ of the poets personality is a feat worthy of high praise.
Charbel’s latest work consisting of twenty psalms could be said to be a representation of mankind’s duality in combination with his search for the omnipotent being. Baini has a sound working knowledge of duality through life experience. Lebanese born, Australian citizen. Christian by birth, an Islamic scholar. Both are integral in this latest work, as Baini challenges his readers to overcome national or religious bias and probe for the fabric of philosophical truth.
Charbel has attempted and achieved, through a combination of ethereal imagery and parabolic simplicity, in representing that eternal statement/question that appears to elude many religious scholars and religious leaders from both denominations and nationalities… ’Why fanaticism.. bias.. hatred.. suffering, in our constant search for true faith?”
Our faith already brings to our awareness that Love is the answer and always will be, and that GOD is Love. We both believe in an omnipotent being, He only has a different name. We both wish to praise Him; the ceremonies only differ.
Charbel, in pursuit and representation of this concept, has utilised imagery we have seen portrayed and refined by the likes of poets such as Hopkins and Gibran. Combining fluidity and simplicity, Baini achieves, even after translation, a compactness of thought I have come to expect only of the poetic genius.
To conclude this short prologue, I challenge the reader to pursue his own interpretation of the apparent use of the triparite by Baini. It would appear that Baini has attempted, in several of the psalms, a symbolic representation of the trinity. Psalms 16 for example explores religious orientation in the form of ‘Man, God, Home land’; Psalm 17 ‘Mankind’s’ life journey, God, Eternity; Psalm 18 ‘Man, God, Work-Ethic’ An unusual but highly effective stylisation that the reader may chose to explore or reject as he sees fit. Further observations and comparisons would however, undoubtedly reward the reader.
I have no hesitation in recommending Charbel’s latest work to either the philosopher or the general reader, as the base message remains the same. Let us discard our robes of bigotry and explore our religious conviction in the form of practical application, rather than an over- generous concentration on outward appearances. A diamond wrapped in either calico or muslin, remains a diamond.
A poet of extreme depth and insight, bringing together the best of both Eastern/Western philosophies in a truly imaginative and sincere style.
Charbel Baini has exemplified Mohammed’s quote, ‘The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.’ A poet of whom, both Australia and the world, shall hear more.
Highly Recommended!
Mike Hollingworth
**
In Praise of Ali
Love, Faith and Eloquence
The Holy Literary Trinity
By: Dr. Anice Morsy
This book or musical journey of Charbel Baini, ‘In Praise of Ali”, is fascinating reading, It is a journey of a Lebanese Christian – who like Gibran- explores human beliefs and psychology.
The book is divided into psalms which are traditionally a moving experience in the Eastern Rite Churches, Giving a Christian flavour to an Islamic theme.
Charbel Baini is a humanitarian who sees God through his brothers and sisters in humanity, without relinquishing or losing any of his original faith.
He sees his fellow human beings as they are without regard to colour, faith or creed.
This makes him a free and unrestricted person who sees “beauty” in everything.
He does not even wait until “beauty” falls in his hands but searches and delves to find both “beauty” and truth wherever he thinks they exist.
To highlight my appreciation of this poetic journey, I would like to show some examples of my interpretation of these poetic psalms.
1- He portrayed a new Trinity in Ali:
To me,
Your name,
Image and body
Are a revered holy trinity.
Thinker,
Muse,
Preacher,
Soldier,
A master who defies description.
Although I might agree with his sentiments and recognize his good intentions, I disagree with the analogy of the two holy trinities.
1- The effort for rapprochement between Christianity and Islam – a concept which he believes in – could be easily found in his poem.
A- In psalm 2:
Oh saint of saints,
Oh reviver of Jesus,
Who is Love,
You united a religion
With your teaching,
Which was pleasing to ALLAH (God).
What is the Gospel?
And what is the Koran?
Books..
Revealed for my sake!
You interpreted,
You said the Judge is one,
To ease my mind.
B- In psalm 8, our poet proclaims:-
Jesus who taught me to love,
Oh Ali..
Is embodied in you.
You shared the pains
Of His crucifixion..
And diminished His pains,
Oh partner!
I will not elaborate
My discourse is self explanatory.
Our master Mohammed has said;
You resemble Jesus more,
Enjoying a harmonious state of being.
2- After his religious introductions, Charbel started from the 4th psalm to probe
the philosophy of Ali on different issues, righteousness, fanaticism, falsity and deception, cheating and malice, sacrifice of wealth for the good of humanity etc.
3- Charbel in his endeavour to reach the truth,
started to commune with Ali – as a human being, philosopher and teacher, asking for guidance through his philosophy. How to forgive his enemies, how to be humble and modest, how to plan his time ahead and see the unseen, how to be truthful with oneself, and with all people. He sought the guidance in Ali’s books to enlighten his path during times of despair.
4- In psalm 10 Charbel took a different approach when he defended Ali for a quotation taken out of context. He was quoted as having said: “Woman is evil”.
Charbel respond:
To you woman is,
A spring of virtues,
A source for future generations,
You honoured her,
You let the birds
Recount to her
The most beautiful story.
5- Because Ali is renowned for his eloquence and philosophy, Charbel the eloquent poet, used his language skills to describe Ali’s philosophy.
He described it as an icon ”Embellishing the chest of the universe”. His abstract description of Ali’s philosophy does not need a translator nor a writer but a surrealist artist to paint the picture as the poet sees it.
He says;
Its crops are scattered groves,
Enriched by the sunshine,
A down pour from the clouds,
Washes its feet,
Then proceeds to capture its beauty.
6- Charbel, the Lebanese migrant feeling homesick, describes his suffering and unhappiness in psalm 16. He is only seeking comfort from Ali whose words are a fountain of joy.
He also remembers his faith which he describes as his homeland and asks God, who does not abandon anyone, to help him.
My past remains not..
And the present incapable
Of healing,
I am dissatisfied
As an expatriate,
Tell me something to console me.
…..
God abandons no one.
Without him,
You’re deemed worthless,
Your faith is the homeland.
7- Our courageous poet/philosopher – who gave to his Church more of his art and talent – wrote this poem ignoring the anger and intimidation of the narrow minded bigots. As a free thinker he felt that he could absorb this anger through philosophical dialogue and quite reasoned debate. In psalm 19 he says;-
Threats..
They cast at my doorstep
Claws of poisonous daggers,
Intending to obliterate the feast,
…….
They said:-
“You insulted the religions,
Which were sent to earth by God..
You jumbled the haphazardly,
And disrupted the serenity of man,
Who weaved his life with faith,
And imposed it on mankind.
…you blinded his eyes with hatred”.
But Charbel has already answered them in psalm 18 when he said:-
I fear not to whom I declare my love,
And preach his enlightening words,
For my faith is strengthened
By the unity of heavenly religions,
And the oneness of God,
Who through piety
Made us all equal.
8- In the epilogue, he left us with a message of hope and happiness for all human kind.
I love them all..
All.. All
Jews, Christians And Moslems.
I love them all irrespective,
Of mundane differences.
Our meeting
Will be at a mutual venue,
Where God shall be the judge.
My faith motivated me
To honour them,
And upon psalms lean,
Content to distribute
Aspirations,
Among mankind.
**
Psalm 1
-1-
I asked you about myself,
Answer me.
How can I save myself?
How can I flee a world
Which tires me
And which is devoid of honest men?
-2-
I asked you about my life.
About my religion,
About ALLAH whom you sustain
Through your words.
They injected lies into my veins,
Rid me of the lies.
-3-
All my feelings are in my psalms,
And my psalms are the feeling of all.
Oh Ali..
You possess my thoughts,
Through which,
You may appear.
-4-
Oh, greater than my love,
I cherish you.
Oh, light overflowing with light!
Had I not crowned you
Upon my heart
It would have falsified
Previous coronations.
-5-
To me,
Your name,
Image and body
Are a revered holy trinity.
Thinker,
Muse,
Preacher,
Soldier,
A master who defies description.
-6-
Your voice is a field,
Your books are clouds,
Continuously watering our crops
To nourish us in times of gloom
And strengthen us for the harvest.
-7-
You who are self perfected,
You the secret,
And keeper of secrets.
Through your philosophy,
Through your sayings,
A sun has shone
And a day emerged.
-8-
.. Your stance
Upon the pulpit,
Carried us on the wing of the wind.
By the raising of your hand
We were glorified,
Oh Ali..
And praise of ALLAH were voiced.
**
Psalm 2
-1-
They pray so ALLAH
May be pleased with you,
They forget who you are,
An apostle,
With “The Voice” in your ears.
You remain,
While your years have elapsed.
-2-
You did not only come
To the desert,
To people who spoke your tongue.
You came to adorn the eye of the sun
And colour it with your faith.
-3-
Son-in-law of prophecy
And cousin.
Holiness and exuding holiness;
Greatest house..
Most noble blood;
These planted piety in my soul.
-4-
Oh Ali..
Forever eminent,
In the eyes of the Almighty,
When you fasted,
Fasting yearned to break, once
Due to your continued fasting.
-5-
Oh saint of saints,
Oh reviver of Jesus,
Who is Love,
You united a religion
With your teaching,
Which was pleasing to ALLAH.
-6-
All people acknowledged you,
Such a man they’ve never known,
Those who hurt you,
You forgave,
And to them remained
Ever so generous.
-7-
What is the Gospel?
And what is the Koran?
Books..
Revealed for my sake!
You interpreted,
You said the Judge is one,
To ease my mind.
-8-
You did not fear His hell,
You weren’t tempted
By His heavens…
I saw Him as Love,
Like you
And cherished His very being.
**
Psalm 3
-1-
You are my companion-
Wherever I go,
You’re exisistent in my mind,
Dwelling,
In my heart and soul,
In the form of written verses.
-2-
You are the brother,
You are the father,
Head of the family
Which believes in God.
Everytime we advance
Little by little,
You protect us in the darkness.
-3-
You are alive in my prayers
For you I burned my life..
As incense.
Whenever a day of my life elapses
In you my life increases ages.
-4-
Why do I love you?
Loving you is glory,
Elevating me higher than sound,
Yet, allowing me
To reach places,
Which even death cannot reach.
-5-
You fought and conquered
The aggressor,
To relieve us by your struggle,
They did not understand
The message you uttered,
They killed you-
Killed your children.
-6-
Abou-Hassan
Your son has died!
And your other son made me cry!
Three sacrificed their blood,
For the dignity of my human right!
-7-
You offspring are elite heroes.
After you,
They sacrificed their youth,
They killed them.
They killed children!
Their soil was baptized by blood.
-8-
Zainab cries..
Where is justice?
Her grandfather..
The chosen messenger,
In whose name,
They slew his descendants.
Hell is insufficient
For those murderers!
**
Psalm 4
-1-
You told me:-
“Do not wrestle with righteousness,
For it always wins, regardless.”
After years…
The past emerged
And like a flame,
Your righteousness shone.
-2-
And you told me:-
“Falsity is defeated
And conquered is who conquers
By injustice.”
Nations trod upon the truth,
Secretly usurping their rights
-3-
“Do not be a fanatic..”
You said and added:-
“Fanaticism enhances not virtues.”
No sooner had you departed
The ignorants’ hypocrisy prevailed.
-4-
“Strive not to be two faced,
Nor deceive your brother to live.”
Permit me to explain your words..
Naïve are the people…
Naïve!!
-5-
You advised:-
“Your chest is laden with malice,
Remove it..
Thus remouving it from mankind.
Distance yourself a million miles
From it..
Do not attire yourself
For evil’s sake…"
-6-
…Do not befriend a liar,
Nor those moaning misers,
The promises of liars are
A mirage..
And the misers..
Enriched by their ignorance…”
-7-
“…Be good…
And sacrifice your wealth,
Towards your brother
Whom you entrust,
Readily extend your hand
To fraternize and revive him.”
-8-
When your triumphant banner,
Appeared, oh Emir,
Victory was overwhelming,
They rewarded you with enmity,
Because your justice
Introduced equality.
**
Psalm 5
-1-
Men of religion vary,
I said it,
I say it and repeat,
They sowed dissension
Amongst mankind
And promised it a new life.
-2-
You wish us to belong to ALLAH.
With benevolence surging in our veins,
Eyes which traded their tears
Were ashamed of such deception.
-3-
You wish us not to be debased,
And madly crawl after money.
Everyone’s life diminishes..
Nothing but deeds remain
-4-
To make us equal
In the eyes of justice,
You armed yourself with self-denial
You derived no pleasure
From the speed of lightning..
Nor did you fear
To confront the darkness.
-5-
You described the ant
And the bat,
The description of the Creator
To His creation
You described a hypocrite
Living off his lies
For which he opened a market.
-6-
You described a locust
Its eyes so red,
A description
Defying scientific knowledge.
How did you manage
To spot it
Amid the overcrowding!
How did you film it!?
And how was the film!?
-7-
You whose eyes painted a universe,
The shape of which puzzles itself.
With a little brush
You forced the colour
To narrate fables to your letters.
-8-
Oh Ali..
You know the secret of the earth
And its living creatures as well.
I live in happiness,
When I confess;
That you are greater than man!!
**
Psalm 6
-1-
Teach me
To forgive my enemies
Who stabbed me
With a poisoned dagger.
Spread your voice
Upon my possessions,
To return and stand tall,
Like a giant.
-2-
Teach me
To be more humble.
I am and will remain from dust.
Poor is he who is haughty
Towards his brother,
And does not account for death.
-3-
Teach me,
To plan my time ahead,
And see the unseen.
To take from you my anticipations,
And like you
Wander,
Beyond reality.
-4-
Teach me
To be truthful with myself
And also with all people.
Oh Ali..
On the edge of my past,
Hang my dawn as a torch.
-5-
I am lost, all alone,
And need to cry out.
Life is tired of my existence,
Remembering what befell you
I weep..
For endless hours.
-6-
I rush to read your books,
Interpreting them as I choose,
Explaining their meaning to others..
How and why you were
A great one!
-7-
You are the goal..
Alone..
Alone..
Oh, companion who lives in despair.
Your ideals generate light,
Woe to whoever does not perceive it.
-8-
Take me by your hand.
My voice is hoarse.
Oh , prince of the faithful
Whoever prays and salutes you,
Should not fear judgement day.
**
Psalm 7
-1-
Your religion is my religion,
Religion of love..
Which unites worlds,
The Lord maltreats not
His creation,
It is the devil who maltreats.
-2-
Who else but you,
Made us appreciate our human value,
And unified us
By his words,
By his divine personality.
-3-
From his revelation..
You enriched the soul
And from His Koran..
You harvested goodness.
Oh Ali..
Wherever you go,
His verses
Facilitate the journey.
-4-
Your religion is my religion,
Dispel the darkness,
By the stars of your words,
Oh Emir..
And deliver us
From the madness of doom,
From books full of falsity.
-5-
Your Islam,
Is the true Islam,
Which has not been defaced.
By your interpretation thereof,
You compelled even the dreams,
To make a pilgrimage to KAABA.
-6-
All originates from you,
Without you nothing will exist.
You obliterated evil intentions,
Which attempted to tamper
With the Koran.
-7-
Oh Ali..
You erected the towers
Of the words
Which defended a religion,
Groups upon groups
Meddled with it,
Diverting millions off course.
-8-
Retrieve us,
We can wait no longer,
On the crossroads of new days,
You, who by your past,
Perceives tomorrow,
To ensure its recurrence.
**
Psalm 8
-1-
I speak to you..
With an open heart,
Where you are always present.
Meditating with the simplest words,
So entity may record
My utterance.
-2-
Many chanted you before me,
Their songs..
I gathered in my book,
As a bunch of poems,
So ALLAH may have mercy on me.
-3-
Jesus who taught me to love,
Oh Ali..
Is embodied in you.
You shared the pains
Of His crucifixion..
And diminished His pains,
Oh partner!
-4-
I will not elaborate
My discourse is self explanatory.
Our master Mohammed has said;
You resemble Jesus more,
Enjoying a harmonious state of being.
-5-
By contentedness,
You defeated poverty,
And were uninfluenced
By the greed of money.
You mended your own soles,
To teach future generations.
-6-
Blessed is he
Who saw you in person
And blessed is he
Who follows your path.
You said:-
“The east hears the west
And sees it.”
Your prophecies have come true.
-7-
You feared not to face death,
With sword shining
You charged.
The calling became
“ALLAH is great”
So repeated the minarets.
-8-
Oh, knight of eternal heavens
Your angels love you.
From their light
They wove you a skin
And hid you inside their eyes.
**
Psalm 9
-1-
My memory is erasing things,
Extinguishing the glare of thinking.
Renew my memory,
So I can live
And the preaching may live
Upon my lips.
-2-
It matters not what they say of me,
Denomination alters not a person.
Maronite,
Shiite,
Oh Sunni,
The name means little,
And ALLAH is great.
-3-
ALLAH..
Who was sold by merchants,
Upon paper pulpits,
Is dissatisfied
With what transpired
With our religious rituals.
-4-
Glory to He who created you,
A creation the ages won’t repeat,
He sent you to a world
Infested with crime
And is oblivious to His existence.
-5-
Oh Ali..
The world is an egotist,
Dishonest,
Hypocritical
And deceitful.
Help me rid it of evils,
Absorbed through generations.
-6-
I am perturbed
By the world’s madness.
Where freedom is a wave of sins,
Afraid it may sweep my son away,
Casting him upon the shores of wars.
-7-
Extend your hand..
Help me..
My cross is heavy
And I am afraid of falling,
Lest such fall may distance me
And be engulfed by the dust
Of forgetfulness.
-8-
I must create another race,
Capable of understanding
Your teachings,
Unifying all religions.
Which declare “ALLAH” is one.
**
Psalm 10
-1-
You were quoted to have said:-
“Woman is evil.”
They denied the moment you spoke
Your Fatima..
In her agonizing farewell
You kissed her grave and cried.
-2-
To her…
Your Life is an enchanting fragrance.
And her life to you..
Piety and love.
Two lovers who produced
A breed worthy of devine delight.
-3-
To you woman is,
A spring of virtues,
A source for future generations.
You honoured her,
You let the birds
Recount to her
The most beautiful story.
-4-
The presence
Of your daughter Zainab
Occasioned the blessing
Of every home.
You enlightened her and began
To pamper and nurture her.
-5-
You loved all..
And all loved you,
Men,
Women and children,
You became a rendition
Implanted in people’s minds.
-6-
You were the undaunted judge
Who nourished the oppressed.
When their hunger was satisfied,
In your name…
They destroyed the oppressor
-7-
You were
What was inconceivable to be.
The living..
The perpetual..
Who dwells in the heart..
In the eyes of the flowers
Which germinate flowers.
-8-
You who are crowned with knowledge,
Crowns knelt at your feet,
You repelled them.
You repelled darkness,
So faith may dawn within us.
**
Psalm 11
-1-
The red sin,
Camouflaged in the lust
Of Lucifer’s eyes.
Claimed me a victim,
Many times,
For it knew I am only human.
-2-
I cannot deter my lust,
Nor alter destiny,
My roads are distant
And my life…
Sins pursuing sins.
-3-
I kneel in prayer,
Till my saliva dries,
Thereafter,
I kill families,
Whose blood fills my jug
With money,
Inebriated upon my hands.
-4-
A human..
Scarring my life,
Causing suffering.
Oh Ali..
Save me,
End my suffering.
Who else but you is able?
-5-
Through knowledge..
Grant me perfection
And also through my faith
Name me “Hussein”
To enlighten my mind
And achieve martyrdom,
Irrespective where!!
-6-
Were the days of Karbala
To be repeated,
They would witness my martyrdom.
I’d collect its soil..
With my eyelashes.
Like incense..
To protect my children.
-7-
Karbala..
The land of paradise,
Consecrated by Hussein’s blood.
Expose it from within me,
I yearn for it.
And in me,
Unite those who died.
-8-
I do not wish to sin
And suffer.
I seek purification
By your words
And politeness,
To experience your days.
**
Psalm 12
-1-
ALLAH is one..
Only one..
Alas!
Religious imposters dissented.
They thought they could obscure the sun
With their lies.
And thus deceive
The pure at heart.
-2-
They were told:-
“We are his blessed
And chosen people.”
They proclaimed to them:-
“The killing of infidels
Is the objective of all our battles.”
-3-
In His name..
“We will invade the lands
And obliterate atheists” they said.
They incinerated the lands,
Trampled honour,
And demolished dwellings
Housing children.
-4-
The impostors added:-
“Sacrifice with blood
So as to please ALLAH.”
They slaughtered the father;
They slaughtered the mother,
Causing blood to reach His paradise.
-5-
ALLAH is one.
Raise the voice.
Oh Ali..
Let the people hear;
He wants neither jihad nor death.
Only races with varied creeds.
-6-
We’re disgusted
With their preachings,
Full of hatred and woes,
We must revert to the words
Which, by their love,
Illuminated the darkness.
-7-
Your words..
Oh, spring of virtues!
Continue to water our groves.
Your words..
Oh, voice of the birds,
Led millions to the truth.
-8-
They lied to us..
Do not forgive them,
Those who killed you and us.
Send your “sword”
To their places,
Annihilate those who deceived us.
**
Psalm 13
-1-
Oh Ali…
Your philosophy is an icon,
Embellishing the chest
Of the universe.
How can I,
With a solitary look,
Make this earth upon which I live,
Its meadows,
Rocks and hills,
Its seas and sandy shores,
Convene within my eyes?
-2-
Its vastness…
Beyond reach,
I cross new horizons,
Planting it,
Exhaust my shoulders,
And with smiling lips,
Harvest it,
Through dreams..
Which I envisaged distant.
-3-
Its crops are scattered groves,
Enriched by the sunshine,
A downpour from the clouds,
Washes its feet,
Then proceeds to capture its beauty.
-4-
Its spring brings forth summer,
And summer welcomes an old guest,
Autumn..
Whom it is yet to meet,
And which hid winter in its shadow,
Year after year,
Without achieving its wish.
-5-
Oh Ali..
Explain to me the creation,
Of this world,
To which we came,
It understood us not,
Nor did we, it.
A handful of its soil,
It gave us,
A body…
The years of which,
When exhausted,
Such body to dust returns.
**
Psalm 14
-1-
Numerous enquiries,
I made..
Oh Ali,
And I still ask;
From your well of cognizance
Tell me..
How waves transform into clouds,
And how do we collect their tears?
-2-
And how does the ocean
Deposit its ebb
Upon the shore,
As ironed sheets?
Its flow in turn,
Extends to its limits..
And stoops to retrieve them.
-3-
How does one day slaughter another
From whose wounds emerges dawn?
And how do the stars
Shield in the shadow
Of a giant tent,
Whose inhabitants have departed?
-4-
And the sun,
Which has never been extinguished!
Whence does it reap its source?
It appeared,
Blazed and shone,
Then set with an inaudible groan.
-5-
The hill with mouth so wide,
How does it exhale lava?
Heaving its fire upwards,
Then self quells the fire.
-6-
And how is it
When a bird flaps its wings
It ascends,
Its chants louder,
When nesting..
It remains aggressively defensive,
And impossible to remove
From its nest?
-7-
How does a whirlwind,
When braiding itself,
Entwine the waist of the globe,
Bringing serenity
With its gentle breeze,
And havoc with its anger?
-8-
No matter how much we progress,
We shall always remain your pupils,
How and why does God create “a paper”
Only to scribble on our world?
**
Psalm 15
-1-
I saw them strolling,
Alongside you,
Their eyes illuminating their path.
Never afraid once,
Nor deceived,
Their days delighted
With their existence,
Their nights floodlit,
By the glow of your stars,
Their dreams blossomed.
Whenever their foes spread their lies,
They sharpen their pens
Upon the pages.
-2-
They lived..
And died great,
Their foreheads,
The sun’s playing field.
When,
In their journeys,
A day passes,
Its dust adorns their yesterdays.
Heaps of goodness,
They left behind,
Goodness emanating from their touch,
Oh Ali..
They came as visitors,
Leaving their deeds
In the five continents.
-3-
They were born
The most honourable,
With an exemplary reputation,
Each day that their sun set,
By its inspiration,
Lightning erased the dusk,
The sea waves blue,
So bore witness,
And their footsteps
Blessed the ground.
Had their knowledge
Not enlightened the East..
It would have remained
Unknown.
-4-
Their name, a secret,
I learned so well,
A verse imprinted upon my lips,
And embraced on a gentle breeze,
Saying:-
“Tell me a story..”
While reciting
The breeze cries,
And I see it approaching,
Bearing heaps of praise,
For those
Who were the “GOAL.”
**
Psalm 16
-1-
Expatriation means tears,
And my homeland is far.
Oh Ali..
Portray my return,
My days have never known happiness,
Nor my tears cessation.
-2-
My past remains not..
And the present incapable
Of healing,
I am dissatisfied
As an expatriate,
Tell me something to console me.
-3-
“Homeland is where you’re happy..”
What are you saying!?
Oh Ali..
Your words are a fountain of joy,
Improving our way of thinking.
-4-
“Homeland is where you reside..”
Oh Ali..
Elaborate further;
“.. A land whose boundaries are unknown,
Is tiny,
Size irrespective.”
-5-
And expatriation?
“.. Expatriation is being isolated
From God,
From a brother
Whose existence you denied.
The faithful expatriate,
In heaven itself.
Defines his homeland’s boundaries.”
-6-
Does that mean I live it?
“.. A life of piety,
God abandons no one.
Without him,
You’re deemed worthless,
Your faith is the homeland.”
-7-
And my soil?
“.. Your soil is mortgaged,
Since the inception of time
And all ‘THAT’
Which you have saved,
Is insufficient
To discharge such mortgage.”
-8-
Oh Ali..
You ease my mind
Through the words
Which exalted God,
You’ve expanded my horizons,
To inhabit this whole world.
**
Psalm 17
-1-
Why were we born?
For sins are reaping us
With their sickle,
Is our pleasure solely
For the purpose of utilising
The womb,
To no avail?
-2-
Nine months,
Is our duration within,
Self sufficient of food
And drink,
We farewell Eve’s womb,
Only for it to carry us anew.
-3-
A paradise..
Without a sun or stars,
Within which the foetus is bored,
Upon its shores clouds compact,
Weary of the burden.
-4-
No sooner do we awaken,
We retire once again,
Hours racing hours,
Days stumbling over us,
To the delight of the tumbles.
-5-
We know not where
Our life will end
And we’ve forgotten our beginning.
Each time death dusts itself,
It conceals p[paths we’ve trodden.
-6-
We are not permitted
To live for long..
“Two of three days”
Then we die.
Who erased the fear of thinking?
Who forced us to love the coffin?
-7-
Another world we know not,
Tearfully,
We came to it,
Even with longevity,
We’re not satisfied,
While its hunger
Lingers in our stomachs.
-8-
Help me understand its secrets,
And through faith,
Accept its sentence,
Oh Ali..
My mind boggles;
Why were humans ever created!!?
**
Psalm 18
-1-
Fear which gathered,
To separate our paths,
I shall surely overcome,
Whilst my wings
Are words of your law.
I defy death
In the shadow of fear
Lest I lose, the grace of your love.
-2-
My poems..
A flash of radiance,
Not to burn,
But illuminate the universe,
With the fragrance of your incense.
You perfumed them,
And with compatible colours
Painted them.
I longed to visit you
In my thoughts,
You..
Who are immortal.
-3-
I am sick of deaf looks,
Of antipathetic malice,
Of lies which erected a throne,
Consisting of venomous saliva,
Tongues which lay their foundation,
And their threats
Which spurt poison.
-4-
I fear not to whom I declare my love,
And preach his enlightening words,
For my faith is strengthened
By the unity of heavenly religions,
And the oneness of God,
Who through piety
Made us all equal.
-5-
Death is a story
You experienced before me
Oh Ali..
And forgave the murderer.
In my mind,
I implanted your wounds,
And lit torches
From the letters of your story.
I feared not whoever
Advocated my death,
As much as an ignorant
Who debased your thoughts.
**
Psalm 19
-1-
Threats..
They cast at my doorstep
Claws of poisonous daggers,
Intending to obliterate the feast,
Its goodness sowed
In my woes,
Oh woes!
Sprinkle promises,
For the dream
Approaching from afar.
And arise,
Oh my dreams,
And be fulfilled.
-2-
They said:-
“You’re an insane poet..
Your pen drips libertine,
Which poisons people’s minds
With doubts..
You replaced their faith
With denunciation,
Either subdue
The tone of your voice,
Or we shall subdue
Your voice with death.”
-3-
They said:-
“You insulted the religions,
Which were sent to earth by God..
You jumbled the haphazardly,
And disrupted the serenity of man,
Who weaved his life with faith,
And imposed it on mankind.
…you blinded his eyes with hatred.”
-4-
They told me:-
“Shut up and be silent,
Your tongue is a snake,
Your words are venom,
Your poems are against theology,
Benevolence and peace,
They lack logic and culture,
No sooner are they uttered,
They are forgotten,
Inter then within you,
Without a coffin.”
-5-
They said and repeated
Many things,
They denied all my words,
Oh Ali,
For having caused people
To melt in God’s love,
In religious identities
Who visited mankind,
And inspired it towards achieving
Everlasting bliss,
In his heavenly kingdom.
**
Psalm 20
-1-
The final psalm
Of my book..
I wrote with yearning tears,
My life is lacking in happiness
Until we meet eventually,
Oh Ali..
Replenish my life.
-2-
I long for you..
Extend your hand to me,
Assist me,
Heal my wounds,
In your night of ecstasy,
Light me..
As a candle,
With which my soul
May participate.
-3-
All that which I’ve said,
Is heartily authentic,
Engraved upon
My life’s tabloids,
From its letters
I weaved a mantilla,
To grace the flowers
Of the meadow.
-4-
As a Christian,
I vowed to serenade you,
With a well known tune,
Sung by many before me,
Its words
Beaten upon tambourines,
Upon hand clapping
Which related to you,
How the palms of the hands
Composed a tune,
To pray to you,
And encircle
The temple of your eyes.
-5-
I love them all..
All..
All
Jews..
Christians
And Moslems.
I love them all irrespective,
Of mundane differences.
Our meeting
Will be at a mutual venue,
Where God shall be the judge.
My faith motivated me
To honour them,
And upon psalms lean,
Content to distribute
Aspirations,
Among mankind.
**
