Devotional Poetry

Poems Dedicated to Robert Hayden

Bird Song:
To Robert Hayden

"He became an adherent of the Baha'i Faith when he was a young man and remained true to it."
From a Literature Text Book

On the boughs of the Tree of Life
the Nightingale sings,
His voice echoing
beyond the gates of paradise.

Rising and falling,
like currents of air in a hurricane,
His melody
invites humanity
to enter the garden.

Some don't hear
the Nightingale's song
and walk past
the gates of salvation.

Some hear the song
pause at the gates to listen,
but go on their way.

Some hear the song
and enter the garden,
may even taste of its fruits,
before swiftly departing.

Others hear the song,
enter the garden,
and are so inebriated
by the savor
of the fruits of the Tree of Life,
that they remain
echoing the Nightingale's song
throughout eternity.

Poet's Note: ▼

I wrote this on 1 Sharaf 154 B.E.

Puzzle:
To Robert Hayden

Puzzle assembled piece by piece
Faces watch from dead elm trees
Each playing the perfect part
Taking its clue from someone else's role
Enacting reenacting sterile stereotypes
Conforming to someone else's view

Puzzle assembled piece by piece
Reality reveals the paradox
Of stars that shine through empty space
Free of preconceived ideas
They guide the seeker through the night
Not caring if she's black or white

Puzzle assembled piece by piece
A darkness deeper than the night
Stains robes a bloody-white
Hies from eyes that will not see
The road that leads beyond their fears
The road to freedom and to peace.

Puzzle assembled piece by piece
Blues songs sang by faithless men
Wo do not see the meaning of
Love's lonely austerity
Or hear the anguished midnight cry
Of the train that's freedom bound

Poet's Note: ▼

I wrote this sometime in 146 B.E. The inspiration was several poem written by Mr. Hayden.