Poetry Corner

First Night of Ramadan

By Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore

A single stone is thrown in

and the canyon resounds with the

hallelujahs of angels

A single breath contains the

known and unknown universes

Back behind edgeless

space are motions that

vibrate the heart

Back behind ancient mountains and

historical intricacies

a shadow gives way to Light that has a

door in it to

let us through

We take no step that

doesn’t bring us nearer

One sip and the oceans disappear

One glance and the skies

bend closer to hear our

emptiness

One heart-wrench elegant elevation

and we’re on a

plateau tossing a stone in the dark

that never stops echoing

This poem is in the public domain.

About the poet: Daniel Moore was born on July 30, 1940, in Oakland, California. He was U.S. poet, essayist, and librettist. In 1970, he converted to the Sufi tradition of Islam, and changed his name to Abdal-Hayy, eventually merging it with his birth name. In early adulthood, Moore traveled widely, living in Morocco, Spain, Algeria, and Nigeria, as well as in Santa Barbara. He published over 50 poetic works, as well as 8 dramatic works, several books for children, and 7 works of music. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 18, 2016.