MY
FAVOURITE POEM
It was during my school days that I happened to read a poem
which is still fresh in my mind after several decades.
The title of the poem is “Abou Ben Adhem’ and its author is James
Henry Leigh Hunt who was born at Southgate, London, United Kingdom on 19
October 1784 and died on 28 August 1859 at Putney, London.
Leigh Hunt was a prolific poet and
according to a literary critic his easy good nature, lively humour, irresponsible
gaiety, and chatty voluble style gave him an individuality which had a charm of
its own.
Even after nearly 200 years of his passing away, he is still ead
with immense pleasure.
“Abou Ben Adam” is one of Leigh Hunt’s
most famous poems. It is about a sufi mystic whose full name was “Sultan
Ibrahim bin Adhem” that is “Saint Abraham, son of Adhem.”
This
didactic poem which shows that God’s most favourite persons are they who love
their fellowmen is everlasting both socially and religiously. Its message is one that must be brought home to the men
and women of all the countries and all the ages.
By nature , man is self-centred.
More often than not, he thinks about his own welfare. If he loves the Lord, it is, a good
deal, out of fear.
What
follows is the full text of the poem :
ABOU NEN ADHEM.
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised
its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, "The names of those who love the
Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay,
not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee,
then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
*********
G.R.Kanwal
11 April 2025
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