S.I.Chisti
(Boulder, May 1975)
Shifts of sand like waves
of a vast ocean crawled upon each other
as fingers of a hand reaching desperately
for some point of safety – of peace - of hope,
prodded now hurriedly now gently by
the wind which hinted at an awareness of its own:
of an event for which it made preparation
then ceased all: soundless motionless wise
still and refined the wind seemed like a dervish
to concentrate its gentle breath on the
mounting chariot in the east
which silently gave break to dawn
shedding its effervescence over Palestine and the world
as though with a wordless call to worship it had come
to waken the world from its centuries of slumber . . .
Cutting through the haze of morn
three forms majestically appeared
each from a direction which had its
origin in the same place.
Approaching closer now
they brought the
triangle of their
paths to a halt
as they
dismounted.
From the north
with all the humility of one who is aware
of his true purpose the Jew walked
silently toward the point of encounter
as had been appointed in the spheres.
From his deep furrowed brow counting the pains
of some long felt separation
(from an ideal more precious than land)
slowly sprang forth the smiling forehead -
he approached the other two with palms open
receptive.
In similar fashion came the Christian
his back to the west and with radiant countenance
faced he his brothers from the east;
his mildly upturned lips like a crescent moon
received the first shower of rays from the sun
as he removed his hands from over
his weeping heart
and raised them high in greeting.
The nostrils quivered with checked emotion
on the tawny face of him that came
from the southern desert lands
but his breath was cool
gentle as the hands which clasped those
of the two who joined him in a
prolonged embrace . . .
As petals opening to a new day
they drew apart from one another
and while the patient moon faded off into the distance
these three lovers in one body
quietly emptied their cups
to await the passage and entry of the
breath . . .
Caftans and course robes were all that moved
in the silent breeze while the air all about
grew still.
Then with one great surge of clarity and spontaneity
the three in one voice penetrated the air
with sounds which burst forth from their hearts
and resounded from their mouths
creating barely perceivable ripples
throughout the desert atmosphere . . .
Walking in a star formation circularly
with three hands becoming their pivot
lids closed eyes focused on the Beloved:
From out of Jewish lips rang Ya-Hu-Vah! slowly with
a formidable determination as Aba! or Abwoon! joined in
formed on the tongue of the lover of Christ.
Completing the harmony with an intoxicating tone
the sound of Allah!
emanated from the soul of the Muslim
rocking the entire Being in its three parts.
The separate sounds of each member could not remain so
for long – and with the sun watching
from the peak of its arc
the three Names of the Beloved slipped deftly
from one mouth to the next
so that the forms of distinction became
shattered images and there remained
no longer the cluster of ideals
dancing with one another – for all that was left
was Love dancing alone to the vibration
of one sound: Ya-Hu! . . . the inner sound
which opens all gates permeates the worlds
music of the spheres; 'O He!'
The sun hovered reluctantly over the western horizon
blazing with ecstasy
hoping to to stay time for just one more hour
to see the dance completed . . .
As it lay peering from behind distant hills
the human nucleus slowly disbanded itself
and again became divided in form:
The hands of one clasped over his heart;
another's in a position of upward directed prayer;
and a third with hands resting on shoulders -
the salt water produced from their necks
and foreheads
now was flowing from their eyes
for no longer could they restrain the tears
of Union – and reunion.
Nodding quietly in the dim light of dusk
they turned in Silence
and mounting their patient beasts
returned toward their respective directions
while the sun, quenched and satisfied,
retired.
“THIS IS THE NEW AGE.“
