Finality
A painter, in search of the subject for their canvas, journeys into the sea, only to get caught among its waves.
"summoned to a reckoning" (1)
the time for pondering
is dead
for the reaper
has appeared "unheralded" (2)
incarnated as a tempest,
surrounding the painter
on all sides
lost at sea
their only companion
is their vessel
verging on ruin
creaking as it carries them
on a final journey
they must face
alone
all this time
the subject of their canvas
they scoured the sea for
was much simpler
than they ever imagined -
for it was simply
an answer to a question:
"in a hopeless storm
with no way home
and no soul
to judge you -
what will you do
at the "reunion" (3)
of you
and your creator?"
to brush a painting
to hang in a museum
no one shall see
yet still laboring over it
to create beauty
for the sake of beauty
and that reason alone
to find a star
to point the ship's bow to
for no reason
other than for the sake
of the light
to worship creation
"without fear of fire"
"or hope of paradise" (4)
how this is true faith
or perhaps
drop the oars
embrace the chaos
and enjoy riding the waves
authoring an abstract piece
for at the world's edge
endless possibilities arise
of how you will paint
your masterpiece
the only critic being
your own heart:
"the habitation,
of beauty and glory" (5)
at the rapture
the painter's articulator
is the rain;
the winds;
the waves' wrath -
reality itself
serving as their true canvas -
a space as infinite
as their soul
perhaps death
was "a messenger of joy" (6)
signaling it was time
for the artist
to become art itself
perhaps it was as simple as:
“[f]orget all save Me
and commune with My spirit.
This is of the essence
of My command,
therefore turn unto it." (8)
1, 2. Bahaullah, the Hidden Words, Arabic no. 31
3. Ibid. 61
4. Nader Saiedi, Gate of the Heart pg. 250
5. Baháulláh, the Hidden Words, Persian no. 27
6. Baha ulláh, the Hidden Words, Arabic no. 32
7. Baha ư lláh, the Hidden Words, Persian no. 32
8. Bahá ulláh, the Hidden Words, Arabic no. 16