I.
I spoke to my soul that I may answer what is said: To whom shall I speak today? Brothers and sisters are evil and friends today are not worth loving. Hearts are great with greed and everyone seizes his or her neighbor's goods. Kindness has passed away and violence is imposed on everyone.To whom shall I speak today? People willingly accept evil and goodness is cast to the ground everywhere. Those who should enrage people by their wrongdoing make them laugh at their evil deeds. People plunder and everyone seizes his or her neighbor's goods.
II.
To whom shall I speak today? The one doing wrong is an intimate friend and the brother with whom one used to deal is an enemy. No one remembers the past and none returns the good deed that is done. Brothers and sisters are evil and people turn to strangers for righteousness or affection.
To whom shall I speak? Faces are empty and all turn their faces from their brothers and sisters. Hearts are great with greed and there is no heart of a man or woman upon which one might lean. None are just and righteous and the land is left to the doers of evil.
To whom shall I speak today? There are no intimate friends and the people turn to strangers to tell their troubles. None are content and those with whom one used to walk no longer exist. I am burden with grief and have no one to comfort me. There is no end to the wrong which roams the earth.
III. Thus,
Death, to me, today is like health to the ill, like going outdoors after confinement. Death, to me, today is like the smell of myrrh, like sitting under the sail on a windy day. Death, to me, today, is like the fragrance of lotus, like sitting on the shore of feasting.
Death, to me, today is like a well-trodden way, like returning home from war. Death, to me, today, is like the clearing of the clouds from the sky, like a person discovering that which was unknown. Death, to me, today, is like longing to see home after spending many years in captivity.
IV.
Surely, one who reaches the beyond will be a living god, punishing the offenses of the wrongdoer. Surely, one who reaches the beyond will be one who stands in the Sun Bark of Ra, causing abundant gifts to be given to the temples. Surely, one who reaches the beyond will be considered wise and will not be prevented from appealing to Ra when he or she speaks.
And the soul said to me; Cast your complaints aside, my comrade and brother. Make offerings on the sacrificial fire and cling to life as I have said. Love me, your soul, here. Set aside thoughts of death and desire death only when your body joins the earth. Then I wll alight on you after you have become truly weary and we shall dwell together forever.
Selections from the Husia by Maulana Karenga
[This message has been edited by zulu (edited 07 July 2005).]
[This message has been edited by zulu (edited 07 July 2005).]
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