Sacred Ground

This is the second of three poems that i see going together. The first being the poem Akka which describes those trying to attain Bahá'u'lláhs presence. This poem is about inside the Citadel. It is in the first room that an area is marked off that sits directly bellow a skylight. It was here that Bahá'u'lláh's son, Mirza Mihdí, fell and mortally injured himself. Bahá'u'lláh, being a Manifestation of God could have healed his son, as he had done for others, however, Mirza Mihdí asked his Father to allow his life to be a sacrifice so that the believers would be allowed to come and visit Him. His wish was granted and he passed away. He was known by the title The Purest Branch. He is now laid to rest, beside his mother, in a place of honor in Haifa before the world administrative buildings of the Bahá'í Faith.

Sacred Ground

The light broken as in a prism
Climbing those steps in
The Most Great Prison
The beating sun
Strikes down
On ancient stones
Worn and brown

Each step up
Climbing to heaven
Past and present interwoven

Enter the door
And on the floor
Stands sacred ground
Bellow the light
Of the skylight
A heart wrenching sight

It was here not long ago
The Purest Branch let go
Of his earthly life
After years of strife

Begging his Father
For one last wish
That pilgrims may come
The request unselfish

Tears of love
Were shared that day
The sacrifice
of personal price
opening the door
for many a score
of visitors to come

Visitors came
and like a river flow
to this day
the numbers grow
The pilgrim can be found
Praying fervently
At that sacred ground

shiidon, October 2007