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IWA
Poetry Corner...
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2006 Poetry Contest
Winner, Adult Category, non-IWA member
More than a Prophet
By
Juli Herman
More Than A Prophet He’s
a father
He beckons his daughter to his side
In her ear he whispers
“I will not recover from my illness.” Beads
of sorrow trickle forthCrystal tears follow each bead
In a mournful procession down her cheeks
A silken shroud of anguish wraps around her heart He
summons her again
“You would be the first to join me.” Pearls
of joy tumble forth
Jewels of delight sparkle in her eyes
In her laughter they resonate
Rays of gladness infuse her heart
He’s
a grandfather
The vast expanse of endless golden
dunes
Forever shifting in the desert wind
The wind of parting is on its way
Bringing with it rueful gloomy clouds Al
Hasan and Al Husain
His two treasured grandsons
He envelops them in loving embraces
He showers upon them farewell kisses
Prostrations he used to prolong
For he wished not to interrupt
Two young riders
Mounting his back, shoulders and neck
Trekking across the golden ocean
In gleeful childish abandon
He’s a husband
His dear beloved ‘Ayeesh
Upon her chest he lay
In the throes of death
Awaiting the final moment His
gaze lands upon a familiar stick
With which he purifies his mouth
Before bowing and prostrating to his Lord
A look of longing emerges in his eyes In
a final act of love and devotion
His ‘Ayeesh chews one end of the siwaak*
Rendering it to softened bristles
Each strand as vulnerable and exposed
As each weeping piece of her heart A
parting union of husband and wife
His saliva and hers meld in his mouth
As he summons his lingering strength
Employing the siwaak to do its final job
With the last ounce of earthly life left
He raises a finger pointing towards the heavens
Barely a whisper, his lips utter
“The most exalted Companionship on
high.” His head upon her chest
Under the loving crook of her neck
He breathes his last
Choosing to join the companionship on high
A devoted husband
A loving father
A doting grandfather
More than a prophet
He is Muhammad
The Messenger of Allah
Peace be upon him
*siwaak is the root of a desert plant used as a toothbrush
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