The Corner Reloaded

Peace, one and all…

Here are some of my recent poetic reflections.  The broad subject here is that of life’s stresses and strains.  I wrote these a couple days ago, in response to recent stress.  Al hamdu lillahi ala kulli hal.

May Allah bless them and all who pass by.

Malevolent Attractions

I used to think that pleasure the only addiction,
but now I see that pain holds its own malevolent attractions.

Thus, I find myself addicted to these stresses and strains;
when one has been removed,
I erect another in its place.

I am like Sisyphus, forever rolling his rock uphill
or a weary builder of idols.

These idols of pain cause me grief
and carve deep scars into the soul’s flesh,
yet still I wear this garment of separation.

‘Seek within’, whispers the Beloved Friend,
into the very root of my soul.

O Love of mine,
the time when that dark coverlet falls away approaches swiftly,
and though I fear to gaze in its direction,
I must become an Ali of courage
to succeed on this path.

Hammer and Anvil

Beloved, there is a blessing in all things,
no matter how hard it may be
to always seem them with clarity.

So here, in this grey and passing sadness,
let me find the hidden baraka of this moment.

Let the stresses and strains of life burn like a forge,
and lt the hammer of Love
beat out a new man upon Your anvil.

As long as we are together,
I can withstand anything.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman