'Truth,' a Poem by Hazrat Inayat Khan

The face of truth is open,
The eyes of truth are bright,
The lips of truth are ever closed,
The head of truth is upright.

The breast of truth stands forward,
The gaze of truth is straight,
Truth has neither fear nor doubt,
Truth has patience to wait.

The words of truth are touching,
The voice of truth is deep,
The law of truth is simple:
All that you sow you reap.

The soul of truth is flaming,
The heart of truth is warm,
The mind of truth is clear,
And firm through rain or storm.

Facts are but its shadows,
Truth stands above all sin;
Great be the battle in life,
Truth in the end shall win.

The image of truth is Christ,
Wisdom's message its rod;
Sign of truth is the cross,
Soul of truth is God.

Life of truth is eternal,
Immortal is its past,
Power of truth will endure,
Truth shall hold to the last.

I discovered this poem in a Christian blog I follow, Rhemalogy.com, though there (https://rhemalogy.com/2025/06/01/the-truth/), it was attributed to boxer Muhammad Ali, understandable since Ali claimed he wrote it (see, https://youtu.be/jwmMd9zWmb8?si=OflKcD9Kb9vy7Lzx); however it's actually by Sufi mystic, Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927).

The poem is bursting with beauty and insight.  Here is link to the poem in setting of Inayat Khan's variegated teaching - https://www.hazrat-inayat-khan.org/php/views.php?h1=1&h2=3&h3=0.

Perception

 Waters are moving, clouds moving

Things move

Rarely, things stay still

Or maybe, stillness an illusion

 

"Paolo"

 I was awakened from night's sleep at 8:52am, Monday, January 27 by a voice that said "Paolo," my name in Italian.  The voice was in my head, but for a split-second I thought it was external.  Also, I thought of my Dad, who called me by this name sometimes as I grew up.  Usually I was called 'Paul.'  The voice was soft and sweet, yet powerful.  I believe it was the voice of Jesus Christ, who knows me from the inside-out.  Hearing my name in slumber in that voice instantly startled me; I was amazed.  I was happy.  I looked at the clock, 8:52.  It's time to get up.  We have time to serve God.