Amidst the cold of Newfoundland’s clime,
Arsahd learned of computer’s art,
A security guard by trade and time,
His soul yearned for a greater part.
A Sufi of faith, he sought the divine,
In prayer and meditation found his peace,
With chanting, music, dance and ritual’s rhyme,
His journey to God’s love did not cease.
And so it was, in Toronto’s land,
He met a Catholic woman, strong and fair,
Her duties as a security guard at hand,
She caught his heart with a gaze so rare.
From Portugal she hailed, a land of grace,
With rich history and cultural wealth,
Her music, cuisine, and language trace,
A legacy of the Moors, Romans, and Celts.
Their love, a fusion of two worlds apart,
Found its roots in God’s holy word,
In the Quran, love is found in every part,
For Prophet, family, friends, and all that’s heard.
“If you should love Allah, then follow me,”
The Prophet Muhammad said with care,
And so their love for each other did decree,
A union blessed by heaven’s air.
“And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him,”
The Quran teaches us to be kind,
To parents, relatives, and those close within,
With love and compassion for all of mankind.
In their new home, a basement in the city,
They start a life of love and unity,
With each other, and with God, so pretty,
Their future filled with joy and serenity.
Their love, a symbol of diversity,
A union of two worlds, rich and bold,
Their faith, a testament to unity,
Their hearts, a story yet untold.
As Edmundo, the poet of this piece, I wrote “A Wedding Gift from Edmundo” to celebrate the love and union between my dear friend Arsahd and his wife, who I have not had the pleasure of meeting. Through my friendship with Arsahd, I have come to understand the beauty of their love story and the way they have come together despite their differences.
In the poem, I wanted to capture the essence of their love story and how it represents the beauty of diversity and unity. I drew on elements of Sufi and Portuguese cultures to paint a vivid picture of their backgrounds and how their love has become a symbol of the power of compassion and understanding.
I also wanted to pay tribute to the role of love and faith in their relationship, which is why I included quotes from the Quran. The rhyming couplets in the poem add a lyrical quality and give the piece a flowing, musical feel that I believe truly captures the spirit of their love.
In writing this poem, I hope to pay homage to the love of my friend Arsahd and his wife, and to inspire others to embrace diversity and find love in unexpected places. Though I have not yet had the chance to meet Arsahd’s wife, I am touched by the love they share and I am honored to be able to share their story with the world through my poetry.
