Lament at the Ascension of Baha’u'llah

The room in which Bahá’u'lláh passed away in 1892 [Photo: Nancy Wong, 2007]

Today is the 116th anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u'lláh in 1892. Bahá’ís around the world commemorated this solemn occasion at 3 a.m. (by the sun), turning to face the Shrine of Bahá’u'lláh, the holiest spot on earth for Bahá’ís, and reciting a special prayer that is used on such anniversaries and when visiting the Holy Shrines.

‘Andalib’s lament

This heartbroken lament is by the Bahá’í poet ‘Andalib (Mirza ‘Ali Ashraf Lahijani), who was present when Bahá’u'lláh ascended:

He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Beloved!

Today the cupbearer, by God’s design,
poured bile into the cup of life, not wine.

Every wound has its balm, each ache a cure –
except this wound! this endless ache of mine!

The nightingales refuse to sing. No trees.
The world’s gone dark. Now every eye is blind.

Calamity! The universe unbuilt.
Calamity! The reign of God undone.

On the Sea of Mercy all waves lie still.
But waves of woe rise high! The storm’s begun.

The banner of God’s Name collapsed. Such grief,
such grief that heaven will be overrun.

Through Him the Day of Resurrection dawned:
Now earth quakes at the setting of His Sun.

From Sinai He called, “Come see!” Now Moses
hears these final words: “You shall never see.”

On the Most Great Ocean the Crimson Ark
has sunk. The tears of Noah drown the sea.

Look west! The Sun of Holiness has set.
Look up! and in His placeless place He’ll be.

We’ll never hear His voice again, but there
the Nightingale of Paradise flies free.

[Thanks to the folks at Kalimat Press for sharing this poem with their friends and customers.]

The Shrine of Bahá’u'lláh [Photp: John Barnabas Leith]

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Baha’u'llah, Bahaullah, Ascension, Holy Day, ‘Andalib, poetry

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