We had a seminary assignment to write a reflection of our understanding of the following sacred text from the Islam tradition.

“I saw my Lord with the eye of the heart. I said: Who are Thou? He answered: Thou.” (Al-Hallaj, “The Eye of the Heart”)

I was inspired to write the following:

I entered my heart space and found the Presence of Love within. 
My mind said, “Ahhh! This is who I am!” 
The image of my beloved Lord came before me. 
I asked, “Are You???” 
I heard within my mind, “Am I not the same as you just described yourself?”

One Love. A short poem by Tricia Bates Smith, 3-1-2024.