Description: 10″x10″ acrylic on canvas panel. This painting was created from the poem below entitled “Al Khidr, the Green One” which I think is the best explanation for the piece. In the Islamic tradition, Al Khidr (as) is an invisible messenger who imparts sublime Knowledge (by the Will of The Divine), he is the manifestation by excellence of Wisdom. Al Khidr (as) appeared to prophet Moses (as) for this purpose. The intent in painting this piece was to encourage those who think themselves isolated, without any teacher or presence to help them on the Way.
~ Al Khidr, the Green One ~
In our obscurity you are
wearing your tone,
subtle yet vibrant,
a teacher to the soul,
you walked in
Ibn Arabi’s chest
and lo! he spoke
of mysteries and secrets;
the unknown variations
that gentle souls befriend.
You blow within the flute
each believer becomes
when you flood
their hearts with
melodies from the Throne,
wandering by the edge
of the universal state,
you guard the pure
and then you initiate,
defying the visible
and the conform way,
you impart Knowledge.
You are the master
that leads the way
of earthly masters
and you whirl of
all your leaflike color
in cyclones of peace
and tenderness,
you awakened Moses (as);
rewarded and comforted
but when there was silence,
speechless yet you speak
colorful yet Green,
you exist unseen
to flirt with the hearts
that sob in entreaty
of Allah (swt) Most High,
you are the scented tambourine,
the revolving beads within,
the inner planets in orbit,
the hidden one shy poets
insanely run to in order to flirt
with your sumptuous,
fresh, continuous wilderness.
And you lay on the lips
of the sages with secrets
kept throughout the ages,
transcending religious
institutions and hierarchy!
O Al Khidr, the saints’
Cheikh no physical eye sees,
knock on this pulse’s door
and strike it with the sword
of Love until all forms
dissolve into The Humiliator.
© 2007 Aida Toure
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