The Summons

This poem came to me as a dream. It was so clear that I just had to listen and write it down. I had to pinch myself when I awoke to confirm that it was just a dream. It seems so realistic.

 

The Summons

This day I had received a letter from the Universal House of Justice,

Now this was no ordinary letter,

In the letter, I was summoned to meet with the House of Justice,

I did what most would do.

The letter mentioned instructions and a flight was booked with all connections,

I would be met at the airport and taken to a hotel,

 Here I would freshen up, and then taken to the meeting.

Now, of course, you would not be mistaken by what was going through my mind,

Why me?

Why now?

What had I done?

Or even what was I going to be asked to do.

At the meeting, I was asked to drive from Haifa to a location near to Akko,

A special vehicle would be made available to me, for this purpose,

I would be transporting a package from one place to another.

This would all happen in two days’ at a set time.

I knew that elaborate plans were being made,

 the Shrine of Abdu’l-Bahá had just been completed.

I did not figure that I was a part of this plan.

I spent much time in prayer, in thoughtful reflection,

 and admiration of the gardens and the sense of peace,

 in the time leading up to my task.

The time had come,

I was picked up and taken to the Shrine of The Báb.

Security was at a heightened level,

I was led to the Northern room and bade to enter.

There I saw a Coffin prepared for transport.

I also noticed an unusual curtain in one corner,

 secreting what I initially thought were the excavation spoils.

Upon inspection there were two other coffins there.

Pall bearers were called in, the Coffin was lifted,

And with the utmost care and reverence they walked out to the awaiting transport.

The driver got in and proceeded on the journey.

This procedure was repeated two more times.

I was the driver of the third vehicle.

Before departure, I was given my travel instructions and the route that I was to take,

Traveling with me was an escort vehicle as with all the previous ones,

Our destination, the newly completed Shrine of Abdul-Baha.

No-one knew who carried the remains of Abdu’l-Bahá

But all were equally important to confuse the potential enemy of the Faith.

All three arrived safely.

All three were unloaded as they arrived,

the coffins in a simple and dignified manner,

 were then brought inside to a secure anteroom.

From here the one coffin was placed in its purpose-built sarcophagus.

Was this just a dream,

Or was it a vision into coming events,

As the veil between here and there,

 is at times very thin and glimpses can be snatched.

Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio

23 October 2023. 1.45am

Back to the Titles list