Tuesday, June 14, 2011

First Glance

Two brothers in faith have set out on a quest
To see with their own eyes this blessed land
Leaving family to God, the arduous trip begins
These men will go on foot
From the kingdom of Baganda to the holy talked of land
Confirming, in flesh, the truth the Arab tradesman brought
Of the black draped cube that is home to every one
Whose first glimpse will drive a grown man to tears
Whose scent gives peace to the orphaned soul
Where Abraham’s footsteps are carved in stone
Whose majesty and glory no pen can describe
Along the Nile, across the desert of Nubia
The pyramids stood as silent witnesses to this feat
Footsore and weary, they arrive at last
Bewildered, humbled, thankful and amazed
The two men collapse in tears at the sacred ground
Even if they went insane, who can blame them?
They have caught their first glimpse of the Ka’abah
In unity with the races of the world, the men perform the rites
Each silenced, awed, drinking in the sacred memory
At Zamzam they are quenched, at Arafah released
In Madinah, only duty compelled them to tear their bodies away
They must now go home, with salutations from Hijaz
Along the way, one returns to his Lord
A smile playing on his lips as he says the Shahadah
He has fulfilled his pledge, he has seen the Ka’abah
The second now hastens his step
Alone he must bear the burden of enlightening a nation
The village breaks into celebration at the return of their Haji
As for him, who has lived and died
He can only smile, and say
By God! Every word you heard is true!

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