The ‘Old Lady’ Merchant

The stones under her feet are worth more than the pearls on paradise’ shore— Jaihoon’s tribute to Lady Khadijah, wife of the Holy Prophet.

It was midday:
Earth, oven’s clay.

Even the young
Became exhausted.
White-bearded men
In the shade rested.

But an ‘old lady’,
Is on her way out;
Giving a deaf ear
To the sun’s shout.

With her, a pack
Of bread,
Made for her
Solitary Beloved.

She headed towards
A cave-mount
Where he sat
In moment silent.

He was loved and
Respected by all.
Yet he disagreed
With ways idol.

He was in pursuit
Of the Ultimate Truth.
Nothing else could
Quench his thirst.

He spent days,
And months alone.
An inner voice
Called him to the One.

She defied her age
As she climbed up high.
Her feet and head,
Wearied not a bit.

A merchant, well-known,
Many caravans did she own.

She believed as much
In his pursuit.
When Truth revealed,
She readily mirrored.

She fed and cared,
For the Himalaya of Light.
And down flowed the Ganges,
With rays of Change.

She was the pillar,
Who supported the Sultan.
When he had neither,
Army nor any weapon.

She was his confidence,
And courage.
Although she was elder,
To him in age.

Noble souls like hers-
Make Lord’s creations worth

The pebbles under
Her feet:
Worth more than
The pearls on paradise’ shore

With love and wealth
For His beloved,
The ‘old lady’ merchant
Purchased the paradise.

Dec 11 2011. Edit July 2024