Sand, December 21, 1995

NOTE: (It is related that the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] at what became the turning point of the battle of Badr threw a handfull of sand in the direction of the enemy. The Qur'an chronicled this event as follows: ``and you did not throw when you did throw, but indeed it was God who threw'' -- rough translation of the meaning).

You never throw when you do throw,

and never know what you don't know,

and if you've seen beyond disguise,

then seek the wisdom from the Wise:

The sands of Badr were angels, and

sometimes the sand is only sand,

and previous deeds of righteousness

today may earn you less and less.

Seek not the shells and seek the heart,

then if you find it you may start

to go beyond. Do not get trapped:

the Fountain will remain untapped

Until you're never satisfied

with heart or soul or truth or mind.

Then if you observe courtesy

the veil may lift and you may see

and if insight with sight does stay

then you may praise your Lord and say:

``Forgive me Lord, I praise thee not

but if you will increase my lot

``of knowledge I can praise you more

by begging humbly at your door.

``Like Sisyphus let me not rest

with dreams that I have passed my test,

``and let my restlessness beget

the He/not-He bewilderment.''