The House

Balconies, white marble beneath
My feet and heart trembling
Elephants shot down miserably
Crying baby seeking
Refuge from the heat
Through water that will not cease
The bounty of the Lord is without measure
Four walls built by a blessed few
The time is coming soon
Where unruly hands shall plunder
Her of her beauty and her treasure

I stand on the balcony
Wondering how black
Could be so bright
It is night for the world
Except us,
Barefooted not touching sand
Quenched by AC and fans
Paper cups stand on guard
To feed water to the pilgrims
I stare at her as she stands
She is a veiled testimony
To our history
Indescribable elegance
Tranquility as she fills
The space between
This heart and the stories and the places
And the humble lowered eyes
Of honoured messengers faces
She has seen the struggle and is
The hope for unity

She is but bricks
But how much harder
The heart which doesn't love
The receiver of the prophets lips
Peace be unto him,
How much colder
The soul which doesn't respect
The place that God chose
To direct his worship
To him alone


"Behold! We gave the site, To Abraham, of the (Sacred) House (i.e., the Kaaba), (Saying): 'Associate not anything (In worship) with Me; And sanctify My House For those who compass it round, Or stand up, Or bow, or prostrate themselves (Therein in prayer). And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways;
22:26-27