The Desert Rose Poem by Natasa Bajic

The Desert Rose



There, in the desert
There is a man
It's he whom I'm waiting for
As I turn into a stone

There, in the desert
There is a man
Who turns the world into wasteland
Heat he rivets to ice
And blood for barrels he swaps
As my heart hardens into rocks.

There, in the desert
Life isn't spared
Love doesn't count
Too many grains
Too many bullets
Are in that sand
A desert storm
Leaves no traces
Nor does my scream
echo through places
Did you wish it
to be that way

My desert rose
My rose till the grave.

Let my love
Be that strong
To turn you
Into The Rose of Baghdad
Forever long.


Translated by Ivan Bošković and Aleksandra Dragosavljević

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
On returning to Baghdad from his spiritual journey, Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (ra) , the great 11th century Saint, faced a tribulation which Allah the Almighty permitted him to overcome with majestic wisdom. Many of the Islamic elite of Baghdad were perturbed by the return of Shaykh Abdul Qadir (ra) who, due to his great reputation and spiritual status, had amassed a large following of disciples.

The scholars gathered and devised a cunning way by which they could send a clear message to Shaykh Abdul Qadir (ra) indicating their displeasure at his presence in Baghdad. They ordered a large vessel be filled to the brim and sent to the quarters of Shaykh Abdul Qadir (ra) . Upon seeing the container, the students of Shaykh Abdul Qadir (ra) were baffled as to the meaning behind the gesture. The Shaykh, however, instantly realised the message.

The container represented Baghdad and the water represented the scholars (people of knowledge) in Baghdad, intimating that Baghdad was full and did not require a new Shaykh such as Abdul Qadir (ra) .

In an ingenious stroke of wisdom, the Shaykh plucked a rose which he floated
on top of the water. He then ordered the vessel be taken back in this condition to the senders who, on seeing it, immediately acknowledged the great spiritual station of the Shaykh and assigned him the title:

The Rose of Baghdad

Story by Adam Walker, London
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