The Mendicant Poem by Isam Hussain

Saffron-coloured garment, old and dusty,
drapes a frail skeleton-like body.
He stands motionless, gazing into the far distance,
deep in thought, like someone caught up in a trance.
He has journeyed far since the days of his youth,
experienced much hardship in search of the Truth.
He looks humble, but majestic in dignity,
Christ-like, poor, but rich in his poverty.

After a while his face begins to transfigure,
he starts to move with purpose and vigour.
He knows out yonder is the River of Life,
he'll refresh himself and his soul will triumph.
There'll be no more re-birth for such a great man,
he'll transcend this world to be one with the Atman.
He has burned all desires in the fire of Detachment,
he has broken the bars of the cage of ‘I and mine'.