I Blog Poetry and Prose

Meditation on the Martyrdom of the Bab

Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Raḥmat (Mercy) 177 B.E. Thursday, July 9, 2020
Martyrdom of the Bab

On July 9, 1850, at noon in the barracks square of Tabriz, the Bab--along with a faithful believer--was martyred. The Bab and Anis were suspended by ropes and a nail before 750 rifles. The first attempt failed, and when the smoke cleared the Bab was gone, while Anis stood their calmly. the commander of that regiment took his troops and left. The Bab was found in His cell finishing a conversation He had begun before being taken to the barracks squar. A second regiment of 750 rifles were brought in. When the smoke of the rifles had cleared, the bullets had mangled and merged the bodies of The Bab and Anis without touching their faces.

Candles:
Inspired by 750: A Visual Meditation of the Martyrdom of the Bab   by Nancy Wong and Robert Reddy

Candles
shed the light of unity
across the Earth,
and proclaim to all humanity
a new revelation
and religious dispensation.

Candles
shed the light of peace
upon the planet,
and announce--
as did the Bab--
the arrival
of the maturity
of the human race.