Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SHEKH ABDALLAH, by CLINTON SCOLLARD Poet's Biography First Line: What does the shekh abdallah do Last Line: In the long, dull time of the ramadan. Subject(s): Faith; Lebanon; Ramadan; Belief; Creed | ||||||||
What does the Shekh Abdallah do In the long, dull time of the Ramadan? Why, he rises and says his prayers, and then He sleeps till the prayer-hour comes again; And thus through the length of the weary day Does he sleep and pray, and sleep and pray. Whenever the swart muezzin calls From the crescent-guarded minaret walls, Up he leaps and bows his turbaned brows Toward Mecca, this valiant and holy man, The Shekh Abdallah -- praise be to Allah! -- In the long, dull time of the Ramadan. What does the Shekh Abdallah do In the long, dull time of the Ramadan? Why, he fasts and fasts without reprieve From the blush of morn till the blush of eve. Never so much as a sip takes he Of the fragrant juice of the Yemen berry; He shakes no fruit from the citron tree, Nor plucks the pomegranate, nor tastes the cherry. His sandal beads seem to tell of deeds That were wrought by the hand of the holy man, The Shekh Abdallah -- praise be to Allah! -- In the long, dull time of the Ramadan. What does the Shekh Abdallah do In the long, dull time of the Ramadan? Why, he calls his servants, and just as soon As in the copses the night-birds croon, A roasted kid is brought steaming in, And then does the glorious feast begin; Smyrna figs and nectarines fine, Golden flasks of Lebanon wine, Sherbet of rose and pistachios, All are spread for the holy man, The Shekh Abdallah -- praise be to Allah! -- In the long, dull time of the Ramadan. What does the Shekh Abdallah do In the long, dull time of the Ramadan? Why, when the cloying feast is o'er, Dancers foot it along the floor; Night-long to the sound of lute and viol There is wine-mad mirth and the lilt of song, And loving looks that brood no denial From a radiant, rapturous throng. "Morn calls to prayers, now away with cares!" He cries (this faithful and holy man!) The Shekh Abdallah -- praise be to Allah! -- In the long, dull time of the Ramadan. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNHOLY SONNET 4 by MARK JARMAN QUIA ABSURDUM by ROBINSON JEFFERS GOING TO THE HORSE FLATS by ROBINSON JEFFERS SONNET TO FORTUNE by LUCY AIKEN JONATHAN EDWARDS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS by ROBERT LOWELL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION by MINA LOY |
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