The Tree People

See the Tree people
Clinging to the Sadrat’ul-muntahá
While the intertwining of
Faces, arms, hands, bodies
Like branches make for
Feeling protected.
No wind can shake them off when united.
No power can loosen their hold,
For they hold on to the Tree of Life.
The Tree of Eternity,
Beyond which there is no passing.
In the companionship of the true lovers
All leaves are connected.
This is not the end of the road, merely the beginning of a journey.

Oh Holy Leaves! Oh Afnán, blessed twigs
Oh Aghsán, sacred Branches!
Oh Purest Branch, Oh Most Great Branch!
No appellation can surpass that description
Oh Greatest Holy Leaf!
All bear Witness to this Sacred Tree
To which we all cling.

Our thoughts matter not,
As long as we release not ourselves
From this precious stronghold, this Lote- tree of existence
This fort of mingling branches, twigs and leaves
That sustains our very being, our hearts and our souls.
Like in an eternal embrace
The friends, lovers and sacred companions
Of this blessed Arc cling together in
This Fortress of Well-being,
While our souls yearn for consolation.

Utopia existeth not,
Though nothing can compare
With the Paradise of His love.
Seek and ye shall find
The wanderers on the path still searching for this Blessed Tree
Lead them to this eternal site
Where happiness knows no limits
No predestined Nirvana is this,
Just truth and light in the valley of Núr.

In the Garden of RIDVÁN
Colour and Fragrance exudes from this site
A nightingale lands on its branches.
Its song cannot be quieted.
A Concourse of angels sings its praises.
Its echo is heard in the distance.
The Dwellers of the Abha Tabernacle,
Their faces are beaming, while your hearts implore strength.
Their divine chant reaches our ears.
Ya Baha’u’l-Abha!
What a joyful sound!
Yet all things have been made to groan
For thou hath been wronged.
Oh Yaran, dearest lovers of the Blessed Beauty,
A blessed Justice is awaited whilst we remember thee.
What joy can there be whilst we knowest thee
Still held captive in the clutches of the enemies
Our prayer, made to be heard.
Our pleas, fashioned to spread the word.
The light of Bahá is spotlighted in your direction.
As bright stars, your light makes day out of night.
We gaze on in wonderment, appalled by your plight.

Maria Chouchtari