Give & Take

I’m here for you, my love, whose heart and mind are so good,

You are never absent from my verse,

Like the ones who never understood;

Like those who think they own this earth,

Like those who think they’re better than the crowd,

Who rant on their own pride and worth.

I’d fight for you, my dear, who doesn’t speak aloud,

to give  you hope and maybe courage too,

to help you out from behind that shroud;

Because you gave my heart the strength to stay true;

When I was so frightened, hiding from the light,

Though both our stories merit getting through.

This Afternoon (Hajj 2012)

A personal impression of arriving at Al-Haram in Makkah this afternoon, nearing the end of Hajj 2012.

See What is happening, on this hot desert day,

There are a million voices murmuring around- what do they say?

They are excited & overwhelmed, chattering of what to see & do,

But they speak a foreign tongue - what do they ask of me and you?

The heat and dust don't bother them, for it's a time of spiritual bloom,

Even through the polluted air and lack of walking room.

They faithfully continue on, mindful of their duty and doing,

And reward they hope soon, will come with God's blessing.

They are to be as if born again, hence such devotees,

The journey for certain has been a tiresome one, but a dream they've come to see.

And millions of voices chorus in tune,

As they made their way this afternoon.