The Private Banquet

Muhammad, in the presence of Gabriel,
                                                         "Friend,
let me see you as you really are. Let me look
as an interested observer looks at his interest."
"You could not endure it. The sense of sight
is too weak to take in this reality."
                                                   "But show yourself
anyway, that I can understand what may not be known
with the senses."
                         The body senses are wavering and blurry,
but there is a clear fire inside,
                                            a flame like Abraham,
that is Alpha and Omega. Human beings seem to be derived,
evolved, from this planet, but essentially,
humanity is the origin of the world.
                                                   Remember this!
A tiny gnat's outward form flies around and around
in pain and wanting, while the gnat's inward nature
includes the entire galactic whirling of the universe!
Muhammad persisted in his request,
and Gabriel revealed a single feather
that reached from the East to the West,
a glimpse that would have instantly crumbled
to powder a mountain range.
                                           Muhammad stared, senseless.
Gabriel came and held him in his arms.
                                                         Awe serves
for strangers. This close-hugging love
is for friends.
                   Kings have formidable guards around them
with swords drawn, a public show of power
that keeps order and reduces arrogance and mischief
and other disasters.
                             But when the king comes
to the private banquet with his friends,
there's harp music and the flute.
No kettledrums.
                        And no keeping accounts,
no judging behavior, no helmets, no armor.

Just silk and music and beautiful women bringing cups.
You know how it is, but who can say it!

Conclude this part, my friend,
and lead us the way we should go.