Dalton

Jul 09, 2010 ⭐ See this poem's read count — a supporter feature

The Idiot and the Sufi

Said the young man to the old man:
"Who is the fellow who wears the cross?"
Said the old man: ""He is the Sufi"
Said the young man to the old man:
"Who is the fellow on the steps of the Mosque?"
Said the old man: "He is the Sufi"
Said the young man to the old man:
"Who is the singer in the street?"
Said the old man: "He is the Sufi"
Said the young man to the old man:
"Who is the woman in the crimson robes
Beloved of harlots and thieves?"
Said the old man: "She is the Sufi"
Said the young man to the old man:
"Who is the man in the house of sin
Whose children cover the earth
In Heaven and in Hell?"
Said the old man: "He is the Sufi"
Said the young man to the old man:
"Who is the fish in the stream
that will be your supper this night?"
Said the old man: "He is the Sufi"
"And who am I?" the youth said
"You are the Sufi" Said the old man.

— Dalton, Jul 09, 2010

About the Author

Country/Region: The Celestial River

Favorite Poets: Shane MacGowan, Dylan Thomas, Qays ibn Al-Mulawwah, Wallada bint al-Mustakfi, Rumi, Khalil Gibran, Yona Wallach, Arthur Rimbaud, Paul Eluard, Brendan Behan, James Clarence Mangan, William Blake, Tom Waits, Charles Bukowski, Forough Farrokhzad, Thomas Chatterton

Critiques

Kailashana

16 years ago

Wonderful & nominated o Sufi

Wonderful & nominated o Sufi king, I miss Kal. I talk to the wind ~ King Crimson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56eaKdpJluk&feature=PlayList&p=CD8C1B1198596618&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=38 "There is a kind of mysticism to writing." ~ Irvine Welsh

amalzamani

16 years ago

I truly thought a sufi

wrote this one! do you know why they're named Sufi?

Dalton

16 years ago

Sufi: - a Muslim ascetic and

Sufi: - a Muslim ascetic and mystic. (Arab. sufi, perhaps from Suf - wool (from the woolen garment worn). I wanted a symbol that could unite all the religions and I think that, from the little I know of sufism, they are the most open to applying their philosophy in understanding the belief systems of others, they can be more charitable in this way, and do not say you will burn if you do not believe what I believe. I think there are many religions and they are all right, there is one God, and many different names for him. And it is our duty as thinking animals to seek to learn more of Him, our whole lives. To seek to become more like him, more divine in our love and respect for all beings. My idea for this poem came from a tiny idea to unite that which is seen as disparate, that which is seen as not the same, but a Christian who loves God, and says in his heart "He that does not love his brother cannot love God" is the same as a Sufi who says the same. Or whatever your faith is. I was a little unsure of this poem though, I thought it was a bit simplistic, and read too much like a shopping list, but it seems to appeal to a couple of people, this makes me happy.

amalzamani

16 years ago

Simplicity is the trend of Sufisim

yet their meanings are always deep and metaphoric you're right about the Suf/wool...they used to wear it even in summer.

Lonnie

16 years ago

Mesmerizing!

To be truthful, I wouldn't know a 'Sufi' from a son-of-a-bitch, but I know good poetry when I see it! This is a really fantastic write, Bravo!

Dalton

16 years ago

Thanks

Thankyou for your kind words, I'll look in on your work some time.

Electric Blue

16 years ago

Sufi

John Do read Lonnie's work it is so raw and real. He a true mountain man - a veteran - a beautiful soul. He has seen the horror's of life that haunt his day and night but still can create the most tender of words and song Sufi I see the questioner so nieve to expect different answers from this mystic one who is on a level of a wise shaman but maybe the questioner will one day undestand. Beautifully written - kept the interest wondering too if a different answer would appear but of course it is the fault of the questioner who should of asked the right question of the wise one Loved it Always learning from your mystical mythical works my freind Electric Blue

Dalton

16 years ago

I don't know who the Idiot is in the title of this poem

I don't know who the Idiot is and who the Sufi, the questioner for asking son many questions, or the old man for his deeper understanding of reality. when I say idiot I do nnot mean fool, or in a derogatory sense, one can be a fool to love and yet not be considered foolish, one can be foolhardy and yet not be considered a foolish person. I think in the case of this poem they mean the same thing, they are equally of a higher mind, the questioner knows which questions to ask, and the old man knows how to answer them. and yet to ask a question, especially a simple question you run the risk of being considered a fool, and to be so stubborn in your beliefs you could be constrewed a fool, this is a misconception. I think they are both wise and yet both foolhardy. In the best possible sense of the word in each category. Maybe they are two sides of the same coin.

amalzamani

16 years ago

the ignorant?

when I read the "idiot", I thought you meant the ignorant. to me, the idiot is someone with low IQ , and the fool is the one who has been deceived.

Dalton

16 years ago

Maybe you could help

I didn't really mean fool, or idiotic, or even ignorant, I simply meant someone with a different understanding of the world of reality. I couldn't think of the right word. Maybe you could help? I think the point is that the Sufi (or any being touched by God/in whom God dwells) is the Sufi. Whether Christian, Muslim, Jew or Hindu. That was the point of the poem. I am in something of a pupil state with my poetry, in that I am pupating with strange poems, I hope that when I get to the other side of whatever this is, I can come up with something worth reading, something sacred but something new. Thankyou for your support. john

amalzamani

16 years ago

How about...

The Native & The Sufi or The Curiouser & The Sufi

Tonya Greenlee

16 years ago

I like the simplicity.

Should love not be simple? You have taught me something new today and I thank you for that. I had not heard of Sufism but I do like the concept. And I very much like the concept of all encompassing love and acceptance of ALL. The only thing I disagree with is the title… I can’t seem to wrap my head around ‘fool’ with the content of the poem…… Maybe the ‘Pupil and the Sufi’ or ‘scholar and the Sufi’ as both are teaching and learning; or perhaps concurrent as you suggest in one of your replies. Very nicely done Dalton. Always, Tonya

mona

16 years ago

I GOT YOUR POINT HERE

First when I have read the title : "The Idiot and the Sufi" I thought you are writing religious poem ,but when I finished reading I GOT YOUR POINT.I don't know if I'm right or not ,,just let me know,. You have used metaphorical terms and it was great,I think you are talking about(Idiot=the racist or the ignorant)OR(he is your tongue just to say hey people we have different believes but we are human , so no difference). (the sufi=an example of all kinds of human with their different religions and nationalities) (The answer of the old man emphasis on that in the end of your poem) Dear Dalton.my question is:why sufi not suni or....else? Mona

Dalton

16 years ago

I'm still new to Sufism

I'm still new to this side of religion, but I see in sufism more of an openess compared to other forms of mysticism. I wanted to hold up a flag and say that all people who believe in God no matter their religion are beloved of God. A Christian can be called a Sufi, a Muslim, a Buddhist, Hindu, I would be very interested in your deeper understanding of this idea. Tell me what you think of the Suni as different from the Sufi, maybe also you could write a blog to educate everyone, thanks Mona, john

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