Hassan and The Other Man

In this poem, I have attempted to dramatize a beautiful story

from the life of Hassan al-Basri.

The river broke its rush and slowed,

As frothy waters calmly flowed,

Where olive, palm and fig trees growed,

Stood Hassan and the other man.

And standing thus, Hassan perspired,

The journey had him very tired,

But its completion still required

Engaging with the ferry man.

Then in that good and blessed place,

The other turned his kindly face

And looked at Hassan full of grace,

"What keeps you though proceed you can?"

"The ferry boat is on its way",

Said Hassan with a sweet display

Of gentleness; the long delay

Would have worn down a lesser man.

The other served a rev'rent nod,

And in the name of the one God,

Upon the flowing river trod

While 'neath his feet the waters ran.

Two angel forms did Hassan see,

Make firm the pathway watery,

They kept the other company

Until he did the river span.

Then Hassan went back to his wait;

The ferry boat was surely late.

He then began to contemplate

An alternate to his day's plan.

The sun descended some degrees,

To hide behind the date palm trees,

Then with a mild and balmy breeze,

Arrived the poor, old ferry man.

"You're late, my man. What kept you so",

Feigned Hassan with an angry show,

Then listened to a tale of woe

As only men like Hassan can.

The other man was gaining ground,

When something made him turn around,

And look towards a tasbeeh sound,

That came from where the river ran:

A ferry boat was bathed in light,

Enshrouded in a column white,

Of angel ranks all shining bright,

Each waiting on the waiting man.