1. The Riddles
A poem by: Ilia Abu Madhi
As translated by: Andrew Ghareeb
(In: Grape Leaves, A Century of Arab-American Poetry Edited by
Gregory Orfalea and Sharif Elmusa, Interlink Books, An
imprint of Interlink Publishing Group, New York, Northampton, 2000; p. 74-80. Athough not covering all sections of the poem, this translation clearly and adequately
represents its main theme).
I came,
Not knowing
My feet saw
the way,
And I walked
there,
And I shall
continue
Whether I so
desire or not. How did I come?
How see the
path?
I know not.
Old or new,
Is this
existence ?
Am I free
Or fettered?
Do I lead
myself
Or am I led?
I wish I
knew.
I do not.
And my path
What is it?
Long or short?
Am I
ascending or descending
And sinking
deeper ?
Is it I who
travel
Along this
path?
Or are we two
stopped
And time that
moves?
I do not know.
Would that I
knew!
While in the
safe and unseen
Did I know,
think you? Think you
That before I was born a
man
I was nothing
Or was I something?
Is there an answer to
this riddle?
Or must it be forever
unsolved?
I do not
know;
And why I do not know
I know not.
The Sea
I asked the
sea,
Do I come from you?
Is it true
What some say
Of you and
me?
Or is it a
lie?
The waves laughed
And called:
I do not know.
Sea,
How many centuries
Have passed
over you?
Does the
shore know
It is kneeling before
you?
And the
rivers, do they know
They are
rushing back to you?
Whence did
they come?
What was it
the angry waves said?
I do not know.
Sea,
You send the
clouds
Which water
land and trees.
We ate you
And said
We ate fruit.
We drank of
you
And said
We drank the rain.
Is this true or false ?
I don't know.
Sea,
I asked the clouds
If they remembered your
sands,
The leafy trees,
Your kindly rains,
And the pearls
Their
birthplace.
Together I
heard them say:
I don't know.
The waves
dance.
Yet in your
depths
A ceaseless
war is waged.
There you
made fish And ravenous whale.
To your bosom
You have
gathered Life and death;
Are you
cradle or tomb?
I do not know.
How many a
lad and maid, Like Leyla
And ibn-ul-Mullawah,
Spent hours on your
shore,
Listening and confessing
In ecstatic strains
Their love.
Is the sound of the
waves
A lost secret?
I don't know.
How many kings
at night Built pleasure
domes
In you, sea,
Shellfish and
sand.
Shadow nor
mind have you.
And I have
both.
Why should I
die?
And you live?
I do not know.
Oh, book of
time,
Has time past or future?
I am in time
As a small
boat
On a
boundless sea.
Have I no
goal?
Has time?
Oh, for
knowledge!
But how?
I do not know.
Sea,
In my breast
Are many
secrets
A veil fell
over .
And I am the
veil.
The nearer I
come,
The farther
away I am.
When I seem
About to
understand,
I do not.
I am a sea,
too,
Whose shores
are yours,
The unknown
tomorrow
And yesterday.
And you and I
Are but a
drop
In the fathomless deep.
Don't ask
What is tomorrow,
What is
yesterday.
I know not.
In The
Monastery
I was told
In the monastery are
people
Who understood the
mystery of life.
Yet there I found nothing
But stagnant minds
And
corpse-like hearts
Where desire was worn
out.
I am not blind. Are
others?
I don't know.
It has been
said
That those best
acquainted with life's secrets
Are the hermitage
dwellers.
I say, if this saying be
true,
Then the secret is
commonly known.
Strange, how veiled eyes
Can see the light
While the
unveiled
Cannot.
I do not know.
I entered the
monastery
To question the monks Only to find them
As bewildered
and amazed
As I am myself.
Despair Overcame them
And found
them submissive.
Lo, on the
door
Is written:
I do not know.
Strange it is
That the
recluse ,
The
all-knowing one,
Should
abandon mankind
When among
them
Is the beauty
of God
For which he
went
Searching in
the desert;
What found he
there,
Water or
mirage?
I do not know.
Recluse,
How often have you
disputed the truth.
Had God intended
When He made you
That you should not love
things beautiful,
He would have created
you
Without heart or soul.
Then is it evil what you
are doing?
He said:
I do not know.
Fugitive,
It is
disgrace to run away.
Surely no
good will come
Of what you
are doing ,
Even to the
wilderness.
You are
guilty,
A criminal
With no
reason for revenge .
Shall God approve
Or forgive?
I do not know.
(Talismans' Clues)
A Reply Poem by: Rabie El Said
Abdel-Halim
As translated by : Aisha Musa Al Saeed
And revised by : Eiman Al
Khateeb
I've come
to this world , fully
aware how.
I've come
to this world
for a reason , with the
guidance of the
signs
I
have discerned .
I've realized
the mark , and
followed it
Wish I knew
! How could people
have missed it ?
Wish I knew
!!
It
is not a mysterious
secret , that matter of
Existence
The
whole Universe is
creativity that leads
to God, Almighty .
Land and sea's
creatures are evidence
of His Creation
Wish i knew ! How
could people have
missed the rational ?
Wish I knew
!!
Adam , The great
grandfather , a prophet..., is
God's , The All Capable ,
Creation .
He selected , directed , and called him the reminder
He
granted him a world
of knowledge so
as to shed
light
Wish I knew
! How could people
not see that?
Wish I knew
!!
Like my great grandfather , God has guided me through the faithful spirit
From messenger to messenger , we've received the Ultimate Words
In
the light of
truth , the mysteries of
the unknown are
revealed
Wish I knew
! How could they
have failed to
follow its guidance ?
Wish I knew
!!
God
said : Be ! And I became !
And now I live
!
I'm
master of my
self - will
I'm
free in my
choice , be it right
or be it
wrong
They've missed
the glaring Truth ! How
could they ?
Wish I knew
!!
The Sea :
I
had asked the
sea one day : " Shall I
answer the people
on your behalf ? "
The
sea hence answered : Do , for I'm
sick of all
the slander !!!!
You , like me , are
God's Creation : filled with
truthfulness
Wish they
knew ! How could they
have forgotten such
Truth ?
Wish they
knew !!
O' Sea Let's
not listen to
their lies about
you .
See
how the shore
is aware that
it must kneel
along your side .
See
how the rivers
have been directed , by
God , to pour into
you .
I
would imagine the
waves , in their turbulence ,
exclaiming ;
Wish they
knew !!
You
O' Sea are
great ! O' How
amazing !
You
are no captive ... Fie to
those who think
you are !
You
O' Sea are obedient
to your Majestic
Creator
Wish they
knew ! How could they
have called that
captivity ?
Wish they
knew !!
O'
Sea , you comply with
God's Will .
Thus , clouds water
our earth and
trees
Clouds that
God transforms into
heavy rainy ones
Wish they
knew ! Why didn't
they endeavor to
understand ?
Wish they
knew !!
God
the All Merciful , made you , and
that which surrounds
you , our source of
living
Then , He taught
us how to get it
and be thankful ,
And
how to sail , fearless of
your waves....
Wish they
knew ! How could
they have failed
to understand you ?
Wish they
knew !!
You
Sea are as
useful to me
as earth and
air
Over you ,
the sun
casts its warmth
and light for
my sky
The
darkness of the
night is rest , after
a long day toiling
Wish they
knew ! How could God's
benevolence be forgotten ?
Wish they
knew !!
Like me , God
created you , and filled
you with sand
and shells
And created me
from water and
earth , my origins
Then I
was honored with
an intellect , and with a
soul I
prosper
How
can those honored
with reasoning forget ?
Wish they
knew !!
" O' Sea I'm a
sea whose shores
are yours "
The
longed for future ... And the
long forgotten past
You
perish ... people are resurrected
to Eternity there
after
How
can we arrogantly
forget , the Eternal dwelling ?
Wish they
knew !!
" Many a
couple like Leila
and Ibnel-Mullawwah
"
As
they listened to the
wave's prayers at
dawn
Faith ululating in
their hearts , declaring their
love
The
waves have their
prayers , did you know ?
Wish they
knew !!
The
Universe has a
prayer of praise
and remembrance
Birds have
songs of praise
and gratitude
The
sea , galaxies , and flowers all
praise Allah
Wish they
knew !....How could a creature
forget his Creator
Wish they
knew !!
" How many
kings have camped
in their domes , by
your side in the
night ?"
" Dawn saw
nothing of them ... but
a mist !"
There would
come a day when
they are brought ,
O' Sea to judgment
Would their
sovereignty be of any use
then ?
Wish they
knew !!
" O' Book of
Time , tell me : Does Time
has a before and
after ?"
" I sail
like a raft on it
, and it
is a limitless sea "
" I have
no destination , but does
Time plan my
destiny ?"
This is
what they say ... but
could they listen
to my reply ?
Wish they
knew !!
How
could I know
the unseen without
guidance ?!
Much exists
around me , which I
do not know
of .
A
small bird may
see what would
escape my eye...
Wish they
knew...without guidance ,
how would I know
!!
Wish they
knew !!
Knowledge is
fed into my
mind by the
five senses
Without them , it
is confined and
confused
How
could I speak
of what I'm
unaware of : Life and
Death ?
Wish they
knew ! How could some
accept ignorance ?
Wish they
knew !!
The
world renders beauty , perfection and
harmony
]Plants grow
greenery from which
we are sustained
Sun's rays
ripen most delicious
fruits
The
Sun has a role , how
could it be
forgotten ?
Wish they
knew !!
Plants grow
greenery with which
the air is
purified
Man
exhales poison that
transcends in plants'
systems
Replacing what
is dangerous with
what is useful
Plants play a
role , How could it be forgotten ?
Wish they
knew !!
Plants grow
greenery , and with it
goodness prosper
The
elevated palms bear
new date fruits providing
sustenance
Plants offer
essence and syrups , all
valuable
Plants play a
role , how could it be forgotten ?
Wish they
knew !!
Plants grow
greenery , that beautifies the
pastures
Cattle live
happily , breeding in the
fields
Transforming plants
into milk and
meat for the
hungry
Cattle play a
role , how could it be forgotten ?
Wish they
knew !!
A
moon whose silver
light is enchanting , full of
signs
Attracting the Sea , causing the
ebb and flow of the
tide
It
travels in orbit ... from crescent
to moon
The
moon plays a role , how
could it be
forgotten ?
Wish they
knew !!
The
Universe holds beauty, perfection, and unity
No
inabilities, no
shortcomings, no hatred
Man
and Earth are
in complete harmony
The
Universe has a God,
How can
He be forgotten?
Wish they
knew !!
There is a
bond between Land,
Sea, and Skies
How
strong are the
bonds!
How
could they have
said: (it is but a
coincidence )?
How
could they have
said: (the Universe has
no Creator )?
Wish they
knew !!
The
mind saw a sign
in the Book
of the Universe. Written.
The
Universe has but
one God, Who has
created and constructed.
Minds have
submitted to Him, that
is how wisdom
begins
How
could they have
gone astray, when Truth
is realized by
mind?
Wish they
knew !!
The
mind saw a sign
in the magnificence
of Creation ... to follow
The
Universe has a God
who has created
and perfected
But
the mind is
limited, while God's knowledge
is vast
How
could the mind
know the unknown
without guidance ?
Wish they
knew !!
The
mind realized that
God knows what
is transcendental
How
could it lose
hold of the right way ?!
When God
has revealed the
endless Truth
How
could the mind
know the unknown
without revelation
Wish they
knew !!
God
has sent a
Messenger to deliver
endless knowledge
Where were
we ?! How did we
come ?! Where will we go
?!
Holy revelation
from Him, a path to the Truth
has been illuminated
I
wonder, how could a mind
lead a different path ?
Wish they
knew !!
The
entire Universe was
created for me ,O' Sea.
Human life
has a purpose. The World
is no nihilence
I
live but for a
role, to which I
dedicate my words
and deeds
Thus, the mind
guides, how could it
hallucinate ?!
Wish I knew
!!
Those who
know most are
those who know
God
The
mind is never
bewildered once it
follows its path.
Once he
is guided to
God, then the Truth
will enlighten his
heart.
How
could a mindful
soul lose reasoning?!
Wish they knew !!
Nothing is
a mystery to me,
I'm never short
for an answer
I
have no doubts , to
the right path, my
heart has turned.
In
God's Book is a
code, I see to
be true.
Wish I
knew why did
they not follow
it ?!
Wish I knew
!!
O' Sea my
chest is filled
with amazing lights.
Faith dawned
from them, and I
wholeheartedly welcomed.
Thereupon, the closer
I come the
greater are my
passions.
Wish I
knew , would I
find others like
me ?!
Wish I knew
!!
Between The
Graves:
" I had
told myself, as I
stood in the
graveyard ":
" Did you
experience safety and
comfort elsewhere "?
It
replied: Here is my
security, my luxury, and my
tidings.
Be
ready, get your
provisions , are you in
doubt ?!
Wish they
knew !!
O' Grave, speak......O' Earth,
inform us.
When you buried
a body, and family
and friends left ,
How
did soul return
to it , and he
listened to the
questioning?
Graves hold a
test, how could this
be forgotten ?!
Wish they
knew !!
I
did ask a grave:
Who is your
winning guest?
The
rich ? The great ? Or, the
strong is best ?
A
voice answered : Come,
find out how
much of his
deeds are good?
Graves hold a
test, how could you
forget ?!
Wish they
knew !!
Graves hold
either eternal joy,
or everlasting torment.
Our
intellect lead us
to God, The Most
Bountiful
The
revelation was sent
to guide to
the straight path.
O'
Friend, how could the
ignorant reject to
follow ?!
Wish they
knew !!
O' Friend, all those
in the graves
aren't equal.
Some lived
for the Benevolent
the All-Forgiving,
Others lived
for the Devil
of conceit.
Wish I
knew, What justice would
make them equal?!
Wish they
knew !!
Don't doubt , grave
dwellers are no
equals
Some have
achieved good, the light
of revelation has
lit their insight
Others reaped
evil, though they were
lead aright
O' Friend, how
unjust, had they been
treated as equals!
Wish they
knew !!
Don't doubt,
people here are no equals.
Some are
eternal in the
gardens of Eden
Others are
eternal in the
smokes of Hell
There is
Resurrection after death, how
could it be
forgotten?!
Wish they
knew!!
Time in the
graves is not
wasted nonexistence
Time, for
us is age, fortune, and growth
And the fruit
of age is
harvested after Death
O' Friend, would
you be saved
before it is
too late?!
Wish they knew !!
" O' Grave, speak ... and tell
us , O' corpses.
Death hadn't
taken your dreams
away, although you decayed.
The
record of deeds
would remain, and we
would reap what
we've sown.
And
each gets what
he has intended . Do
you still doubt?!
Wish they
knew !!
O' Friend , Death is
but a route people
have to traverse.
From one
lane to the
other in unity
and order
It
isn't extinction , we will
be resurrected from
ashes
As
we were first
born, don't you believe ?!
Wish they
knew !!
O'
Friend , this is no
hidden Talisman
Ask
an embryo, would it continue to
live in the
darkness with no
light ?
He
was nothing before .Same
will be the
rebirth in the
hereafter.
Like this
will be the
recreation on the
Last Day, and you
still doubt?!
Wish they
knew !!
O'
Friend, The world is
no eternal place.
We
transit past a
grave , then Resurrection , then Judgment
Day.
And
thence , real Eternity ...
We've seen the
Signs.
Wombs hold
the reminder, and what a reminder !
Wish they
knew !!
Wombs
offer no drink , no
food , no space.
Wombs have no sun
, no air , no light.
They have nothing
but a seed that
did not initially
exist
Wombs
resemble graves ! How can
we forget ?
Wish they knew !!
Wombs hold
signs , clear for those
with thoughtful minds.
How
it was implanted , grew , born , and became
independent
From phase
to phase , that's how
the picture is
completed
A
live image of
resurrection , and you still
doubt?!
Wish they
knew !!
Don't doubt
the next life , It's
simple to understand
Watch a newly
hatched pigeon , learning to
fly.
It
was dead in a
shell from earth
and lime.
Wish I knew
, how did it
spring to life?!
Wish they
knew!!
Don't have
doubts ! Watch how night
changes to dawn
Watch , think , and contemplate , how the
clouds irrigate the
arid land
Watch , think , and contemplate , how the
earth flowers.
How
often has life
sprung from death, how
could we forget ?!
Wish they
knew !!
The Battle
And The Struggle
The
accord in me
radiates peace and
serenity
An
angel of tranquility
comforts me with
love and harmony.
Whenever I
confide in God , my
heart is joyous
and is led
aright.
Wish they
knew ! How could I
forget resorting to
God?!
Wish they
knew !!
The
accord in me
radiates peace and
serenity
I
know the revelation , and it
helps in purifying
residues off my
heart.
I
have no doubts
this world follows
a system.
For
such doubts are but
an ailment, of which
many suffer !
Wish they
knew !!
The
accord in me
radiates peace and
serenity
I
know lawful living , and
detest what is
forbidden.
God
has granted us
light, those who pretend
not to see
are but lost.
How
could some love
living in darkness?!
Wish they
knew !!
I
may experience the
battle and struggle
within myself.
My
doors are being
knocked at by a
cunning hunter.
He
holds temptations with
embedded disaster
I've never given in , how
could I listen
to arrogance?!
Wish they
knew !!
" One day
my heart was
like a garden "
" Filled with
flowers , singing birds ,
and running streams"
" Came the
afternoon , I changed gloomy
and dry as a
grave"
Satan filled
the air with
doubts?!
Wish they
knew !!
I may suffer
anxiety , animosity , or
exhaustion
But when I
resort to God
with my appeals
Anxiety
disappears and clarity
dawns on me
O' God , how
can we forget
appealing to you ?!
Wish they knew !!
Inside me , there
is an angel of
light and joy
He
is a source of
charity , benevolence , and worship
He
defeats Satan's temptations , how obstinate
he is !
What company ! What a
good omen ! What more ?!
Wish they
knew !!
O' Friend , Devils and
Angels are not a
fantasy
Did
you see electricity ? Or is it beyond
your perception ?
Do
you see the
air flow , how it
purifies your blood ?!
How
can you reject
all that you
can't see ?!
Wish they
knew !!
Don't doubt
the existence of an outcast
and of Angels
This is
the Earth , how vast ... with
its stars and
galaxies
Contemplate , O' my friend , you
will see creatures
other than you .
Why
don't you contemplate the
skies intensively?!
Wish they
knew !!
O' You who
are confused ! Return to
being free and
happy.
Unlock the
chains of doubt
and submission to
conceit
Enjoy the
firm belief that
there is a Day
of resurrection.
So
much evidence , like sun-light , to guide
you through!
Wish they
knew !!
O' You who
are confused! Wake up at dawn
to see a procession
of light.
Your inner
heart calls you
unto Allah , The Benevolent , The Acknowledger.
Come and
abide, return to the
Truth, to an Al-Forgiving God.
He
who accepts repentance
is calling! Would you
answer ?!
Wish they
knew !!
I forget nothing
of my past
life!
I deny nothing
of my future
life!
My life is
my soul , and it
will always be!
My home after
Death is Eternity !
That, for sure , I
know !!