Consider The Camel

Will they not then consider the camels, how they are created?

(Koran, 88:18)

And consider the camel, yes

How it was created

Not from Creator's clay, it seems

But of delusions and patience

And you know how the mirage

Instantly deludes the eyes

yet the mirage knows not how

You accumulate patience

And how do you learn patience?

With thirst, with sand, with salt flats

And viewing the endless presence

With eyes of helplessness

And observe the eyes, for here

They remind of dried up streams

Of the salty lines of tears

Which have flowed down your cheeks

And see how have these tears

Emptied you of all consciousness

And this void you must again fill

With what other empty delusion?

And in this void you shall see,

The stirrings of a thirsty camel:

Won't go lightly under a heavy load

Its patience and sanity expended

And insanity becomes two flashing

White rows of angry teeth

For patience breeds vengeance

And vengeance begets harm

And observe with what vengeance

The Driver's jugular it has bit!

No more patience with delusions

And consider the camel, yes...

Simin Behbahani

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