Bicentenary Poems and Prose

'Abdu'l-Baha's Unifying Presence

'Abdu'l-Baha's
Unifying Presence

What was it about him
that brought people together?

Was it the way he looked?
         An article in the Palo Altan
         on November 1 of 1912
         describe his appearance
         as that of a "prophet of old"12.

Was it the Christ-like love
he expressed through selfless service all humanity?

Was it his ability to explain
the most abstruse metaphors
in the sacred scriptures?

Was it his ability to interpret
the tablets and epistles of Baha'u'llah?

Was it that he was the perfect example
of Baha'u'llah's teachings?

Or was it the influence of the Holy Spirit
that attracted people to him
and caused him to be the Servant of Baha?

Poet's Note: ▼

This is poem #74 of the 100 poems I am writing for the Centenary of the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

Footnotes
1  [{Palo Altan}, Vol. 10, No. 43, 1 Nov. 1912, p. 1]
2  Quoted in https://www.bahai.us/abdul-baha-in-the-palo-altan/