Zikr

Zikr

Zikr clangs the bell; arti bangs the drum.
Grab the Lord by His ear!  Huma says,
unless you call His name, He will not come.

Pining heart of sorrow, helpless to keep mum,
lure Him with sweet song and heartfelt praise --
zikr clangs the bell; arti bangs the drum!

The long road bewail, steep and worrisome;
draw the Lord by the tumult that you raise.
Unless you call His name, He will not come!

Within your throat let such haunted music hum,
the Lord's face will appear on which to gaze.
Zikr clangs the bell; arti bangs the drum. 

Inured of the world, coarsened heart and numb,
zikr practice offers you devoted grace.
Unless you call His name, He will not come.

Cry 'til His presence roughly strikes you dumb;
then, let silence take your petition's place.
Zikr clangs the bell; arti bangs the drum.
Unless you call His name, He will not come.

                       (Unpublished)