Most Great Prison

As mentioned on the two previous posts, i had three poems that i saw together. This one, Most Great Prison, is the third of those poems. Bahá'u'lláh was imprisoned within His cell for two years, two months and five days. i had the bounty of seeing that cell under three occasions. Once in the oppressive heat of July, once when it was still cold in March and then once in May. i have seen it in a condition that was poor and run down and most recently in a restored condition.
This Holy site has had an impact on me from the time i was 16 to now. We are not able to see the Siyya-Chal, the first prison He was in as that is in Iran. The other Holy places are the homes that He lived in. It is this cell that brings to heart the immense suffering that He endured.
Quoting from the Fire Table, in writing about Bahá'u'lláh it states:

"Were it not for calamity, how would the sun of Thy patience Shine, O light of the Worlds?"



Most Great Prison

The sea crashes into the wall
Standing before that citadel tall
Within that citadel rests
A prison cell, stark at best

Standing at that door
Peering in
Two years,
Two month,
Five days,
He was kept within

So much occurred
Within these walls
To the Shah of Persia
He sent His call

The loss of a son
So precious and dear
Sacrificed so others
Could come near

Stifling heat of summer
Bitter cold of winter
Passing again and again
Sorrows upon sorrows
Adding one upon another
Effecting son, daughter,
Friend and brother

Entering the cell
Standing in wonder
How mankind
Could allow such a crime
Imprisoning One
So Divine

Drops fall from eyes
Falling one by one
The soul lamenting
At what had been done

Seated and praying
With head bowed low
Wistfully wishing
For the suffering to go
Alas that was then
Now it is time
To proclaim His name
To teach His cause
To overcome the shame
Of imprisoning the Bearer
Of the Most Great Name

shiidon, October 2007