Writing in Snow

Art and Origins

Jalál (Glory), 3 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 175 B.E. - Saturday, May 19, 2018

"All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God."

Abdu’l-Baha

Art1

Gift of the Holy Spirit,
and the healer of humanity's wounds
when the artist soul turns in praise
to the glorious Lord.

Origins

"Everything has a spirit!"
Echoes from the dawn of faith
Flows across the planet;
Descends in torrents
Down granite cliff faces
To merge
With concepts
From God's mot recent revelation:
"Everything reflects an attribute of God!"

Like water dripping
from the roof of a cave,
Filtered through layers of sediment,
Carrying with it the minerals of faith:
"God works in history!"

"All revelation is from God!"
Through the vocal chords of His Manifestations,
He directs the evolution
Of His creation,
His words echo across Earth,
Flow through the minds of His lovers:
"God reveals His will through His prophets!"

Standing on the bank of a river,
The thirsty seeker sees
Only the water flowing past.
Looking up stream
The mist of distance
Hides past branches
From the seeker's view.
Looking down stream
The mist of time
Hides fture branches.
Only the section of the river
At the seeker's feet is familiar;
Past and future branches
Remain nameless and unnamed.
"Many rivers flow from a single source!"

Poet's Note: ▼

Date Written 151 B.E. The inspiration for this poem was a Interfaith discussion on religion.

Footnotes
1  Posted in my offsite blog Poet 999 - A Butterfly Emerges from Her Cocoon