‘The Sufi’s book is not of ink and letters; it is nothing but a heart white as snow’ (Mevlana Rumi, Mathnawi II.159)
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Peace, one and all…
So Why Waste Time?
Mouths were made for tasting sweetness,
so why waste time
with words foul and bitter?
Hands were made for gentle greetings,
so why waste time
with deeds angry and unforgiving?
Hearts were made for seeing truth,
so why waste time
with harshness and blind rigidity?
(Abdur Rahman, 6th December 2007)
This entry was posted on
December 7, 2007 at 1:58 pm and is filed under Abdur Rahman's Poetry.
December 7, 2007 at 2:29 pm
[...] Abdur Rahman “So Why Waste Time?” [...]
December 7, 2007 at 2:51 pm
This is not your way .
Does it mean anything ? Just that this is not your way .
Incidentally this is the title of one of your poems .
Just a random coincidence , perhaps .
Akash
December 7, 2007 at 2:59 pm
There are times when situations reverse .
Symmetry exists in nature .
We do reap what we sow , both good and bad .
A Litany of Apparent Failure is still one of the top posts .
That is exactly what it is .
(I seem to have listed the titles of your posts .)
Good wishes for a really spiritual life .
Akash
December 7, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Peace Akash,
Thank you for your thoughts. God bless you always. I can’t tell exactly what you mean when you say it’s not my way. As I said in reply to your earlier comments, I strive to write what I find within, or at least I struggle to do so.
Does it mean anything? Well, on some level, that is in the eye of the beholder. I had a meaning in mind when I wrote it, although explaining a poem feels rather like explaining a joke!
Things change and reverse. True indeed! My purpose here (as far as I am consciously aware) is to write into myself the idea that the bad is not the purpose. Life is good in and of itself.
I’m sorry that it strikes you as a litany of apparent failure. As I said in that particular post, poetry seems to be about failing, falling short, of not being able to speak the whole of your heart. This feels like an inescapable part of being human, though I could be wrong.
Thank you for your wishes for a really spiritual life. God bless you. I have to say, though, that it feels like a goodbye. If this is so, then I would be sorry to hear that, as I truly do value your thoughts and comments.
God bless you always, in all that you do and become.
Abdur Rahman
December 7, 2007 at 4:26 pm
This again is not your way .
Well , it could mean a good bye , though I don’t think
our interaction has been deep enough for any
good bye . I have just presented my views .
I still might do it . I am not particular about their being
published .
Occasionally , it is good to browse through your site.
The words are good at times .
Not your way is worthy of being a signing phrase .
Something I have learnt .
Thank you for that .
Akash
December 7, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Asalaamu alaikum.
I guess I don’t know the “history” behind this and the comments…
I find this poem sublimely simple and achingly beautiful. I don’t see it as a “litany of apparent failure”, though perhaps I am misunderstanding the commentor and he is referring to something other than the actual poem. The poem is a clear guidance, in my opinion, a beneficial reminder that we can all use. AlhamdulAllah.
December 7, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Very good thoughts
December 8, 2007 at 4:14 am
Salaams Bhai,
may i add my 2 cents?
Minds were made to realize man’s final destination,
So why waste time
with disobedience and procrastination?
Ma as salaama,
sf
December 8, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Peace Akash,
Thank you for your very honest thoughts. I am glad that you enjoy some of my writing. As for the rest, I can only say that I write these poems for myself (in that they form part of my own inner conversations).
God bless you always.
Abdur Rahman
December 8, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Salaams Aaminah,
Jazak Allah for your kind thoughts. Allah bless you always. I wrote a post in September called ‘a litany of apparent failure’ in which I said that poetry, as a whole, seems to be quintessentially about failing to reach the target, and in finding ever more beautiful ways to fail.
Al hamdu lillah ala kulli hal
Abdur Rahman
December 8, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Salaams Shahid Hafiz Akbar
Welcome to my online home. Allah bless you always.
Abdur Rahman
December 8, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Salaams SF,
And what a beautiful 2 cents it is too!
Jazak Allah
Abdur Rahman
December 9, 2007 at 8:13 am
“…poetry, as a whole, seems to be quintessentially about failing to reach the target, and in finding ever more beautiful ways to fail.”
Salaams Abdur Rahman, I found the passage quoted above, exquisite! You bear well your name, al hamdulillah il rabil alamin, your words are beautiful.
Light!
December 9, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Salaam Dear Abdur Bhai:
Really beauty and truth, excellent
Ya Haqq!
December 10, 2007 at 9:04 am
Salaams Aida,
Jazak Allah. God bless you for your kind thoughts. Anything I do well is only by the grace and mercy of God. Left to my own devices, I go only astray.
Welcome to my online home.
Ma’as salama
Abdur Rahman
December 10, 2007 at 9:05 am
Salaams Irving bhai,
Jazak Allah. Your kind thoughts and words of encouragement have always been both helpful and inspiring.
God bless you for being you.
Abdur Rahman