Abou Ben Adhem Bids Me Write
Abou Ben Adhem bids me write
of sounds that echo through the night,
sounds of brotherhood
and sisterhood too
terms familiar to me and you,
terms that often split apart
the unity of mind
and oneness of heart...
Abou Ben Adhem is one of mind
within the depth of humankind
So let the Spirit of love fill all
whatever humankind be called
for the Spirit of love is certainly
a Spirit meant to set us free
from any kind of bigotry.
---------------------------------
(c) Viola Doncaster
Written March 22, 1997.
Inspired by research for an essay on discrimination
and a dream about poets, and Leith Hunt's poem
Abou Ben Adhem. Today Mar. 28th, 1997 I realized
that while visiting my sister-in-law England last year,
we visited Keats House and I purchased a book there
about Leigh Hunt's life. The book is signed by the author,
who is Hunt's great-great-great-grandson Richard Russell.
Is it a strange coincidence that my Grandmother's
name was Margaret Hunt?