All of It

It can’t be coaxed

the wind
to go thinly into a tiny chamber
except by Allah

Light
unless it is pushed ahead
by invisible forces
swifter than anything
remains in the dark

The captain
atilt on the high seas
unless he turn by Allah’s bright stars
can’t steer to safety

By Allah alone
these things and centipedes
fluttering along a branch
in a hurry or dreamy nights
on a bridge overlooking
moonlight

reflect in the face
like the first cause

Whose Face kept in shadow
unless Allah illumine it

opens this day
for us

---

8/23/2004 (from Cooked Oranges)

Categories: Poems