Salik Adam Atiq
Poems of Gratitude for the Friends of God
The Saints' Touch
I am not thankful enough
I am not wakeful enough
I am not able to wait for much
as I say too much,
take full cups
and love this world way too much
please pray for the saints' touch
before dust to dust
which is always on the cusp...
this world: love it, then learn to leave it
while in it
stay firm believin' and live in
a state of dynamic peaceful submission
which gives the graceful gift of autopilot drift
into position, listen and do what I must
inspired by the saints' touch...
His hand is over theirs...
one said if He Cares and Loves
then there's no you left
to Love
and many say that one's amongst the very best of us
since the very best of us (S)
clutched one hand over one hand
then began
the saints' touch
which was the first moment of truth
the first proof preserved for us
to unearth amongst us
because the body dies
and the pages fade,
but the soul lives on
and God made this unbreakable chain
extend through numerous dimensions...
space and time
are one and two
or four,
but what's more is
time is just a measure of our movement through
one
from then till now
from there to everywhere...
prostration and prayer are required of us,
but become a platform for love
through the saints' touch
who grace us when they say such
words that shake us up
and make us wake up
from two thirds of the darkest part of ourselves
with a simple litany
of living simply
and giving the best part of what's left
to everyone else
and I can never be thankful enough
or wakeful enough,
but I may gain a patient state
where I'm able to wait,
not say as much
and take the lesson of taking less in my cup
while I remain in this dust
until dust
to dust
because
I've been inspired by the saints' touch.
For Shaikh Nazm
(Allah be pleased with him)
we never met,
but I am indebted to you
for the example set
by those who tread the path
as though you never left...
ideal friends
mention lessons for death
direct or indirect
with every breath
breeding a steadfast serious sense
that opening to perpetually knowing
this is intense
the matter is dense
with subatomic particles of Love
dispensed within word sounds
and comprehensive within all that surrounds,
all that is found
to be never lost
just under appreciated
...
we never met,
but may our presence be permeated
by yours
inspiring love in the pentameter of life
this ode has no metaphors...
your benefit has no end
though you may have tasted death
after death
we still have your breath, our friend
there's no leaving us when left
to be with The Friend
...though all of must
depart from the dust,
departure differs for some
so ask Him to pardon us,
pour light into that part of us
that hardens from
ignoring the lessons you taught us
until that light merges with Medina Menawura's
most beloved (S)
resident and residents
peace be in their presence.
al fatiha asharif al anbiyya
al fatiha Shaikh Nazm
