post Category: Baha'i,Haifa post Comments (11) postMarch 25, 2007

Last night I walked down the long gravel path arm in arm with my flatmate. We looked at the sky with scattered stars over an empty field, and the lights shining behind and in front of us. Saturday evenings at Bahji are priceless. I will look back on these short days with longing, and I am so glad that I know this now.

In the winter it smells like roses in the Shrines, and in the summer I remember the smell of jasmine. At sunset the trees are aflame and the shadows grow slowly when I circle the gardens. At night there are the shimmering globes that give off a cool illumination, isolated spots of focus in the darkness.

I gazed at the ceiling, my knees pressed against the thick carpets and my hands folded in my lap. The vines, stones, flowers, and metal intertwine, the softness of the silence contrasts with the brightly lit room.


“Let thy soul glow with the flame of this undying Fire that burneth in the midmost heart of the world, in such wise that the waters of the universe shall be powerless to cool down its ardor.”

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings, p. 38)

..there are 11 comment(s) so far.

#1

you’re not alone. thank you for keeping the poems coming. it’s so nice to see others writing long after my own pen falls short.
btw, nice new design :)

dan jones wrote on March 25, 2007 - 10:42 pm
#2

Your imagery is astounding. I can see every piece of this, and it makes me long to be back in Haifa after an absence of 8 years. Cherish every second, because you are so lucky to be there.

Fere wrote on March 26, 2007 - 3:46 pm
#3

Thank you!

sholeh wrote on March 26, 2007 - 5:10 pm
#4

Sholeh! I’m checking out your blog and I LOVE IT! What you said about the Holy Land is so beautiful. Our pilgrimage was last February so I can only recall the smell of roses and oranges but I can IMAGINE what it must smell like in the summer. :) You are soo blessed to be there right now!!!! All my love! Happy Naw-Ruz!

Asiyih wrote on March 27, 2007 - 12:11 am
#5

it may interest you (or creep you out) to know that in the last year or so, a good 80% of my desktop backgrounds have been photographs taken by you. this one made it. :)

dan wrote on March 27, 2007 - 8:06 am
#6

Dan, that is an enormous compliment!! Thank you!

Asiyih, Happy Naw Ruz to you as well!

sholeh wrote on March 27, 2007 - 3:32 pm
#7

Sholeh, I love the new color scheme and banner! It’s a very mature look, young lady! Incredibly fitting for a servant of the Holy Land, methinks. ;-)

Heather wrote on March 28, 2007 - 8:35 am
#8

I can totally visualize that moment, you inhaling your time at the Shrine. Beautiful, Shlo!

+mojan. wrote on March 28, 2007 - 5:21 pm
#9

Um you best not been holding another flatmate arm and arm. You cheatin on me! lol : )

Maysoon wrote on March 29, 2007 - 8:06 pm
#10

Heather, Thank you!!!

Mojan, glad I could depict it accurately.

Maysoon, you know I could never cheat on you. hehehe.

sholeh wrote on March 30, 2007 - 12:35 pm
#11

I have never been prouder to say or more humbly uttered, “I told you so.” Though I’m sure you knew it all along. I cannot tell you how much I cherish your happiness. The light of the flame burns bright.

george wrote on March 31, 2007 - 12:27 am
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