Poem: The Journey

by Muhammad Azhar Bin Abdullah
4th August 2008

We started this journey
Very much aware of the vast distance, challenges and potential obstacles
After all, we had a solid foundation
Thanks to the previous architects, engineers and labourers

We saw our tower taking shape
A mere boulder it seemed like
A small speck in the horizon
Where the blue of the ocean danced with the blue of the sky
The clouds choreographing this dance of nature

We soldiered on
Oblivious to the scorching sun intertwined with the torrential downpour
Powered on by pure energy and determination
Much like Pheidippides in the early stages of his message-bearing marathon

Then the journey began to take its toll
The sheer magnitude began to hit us
Were we like the ancient Egyptians toiling away on the pyramids
Only to see blocks of sandstone?
Or like the ancient Greeks working on the Parthenon at the Acropolis
Only to see columns?

We were in our 40 year wilderness
Working, working and working
And yet not reaching our destination
The work on the tower seemed to have stagnated 
Rise from the ground it did
Yet touch the sky it did not

Seven years of good weather behind us
Seven years of bad weather ahead of us

Walking along the dried sea bed
Yet we soldiered on
Burning from the scorching sun
Not a drop of rain to counter the heat
Energy sapped, determination crumbling
Did Pheidippides ever wonder whether he would finish his marathon?

Then came the turning point
God ripped open the sky
Letting down a sea of water
Drenching our bodies and souls
Our flooding of the Nile had begun
Sweeping us away on her mighty currents
  
Did our eyes deceive us?
The horizon was an arm’s length away
The tower was reaching out to the sky
Pheidippides running like the wind upon seeing the end
The sea breeze could be felt
We could taste the salt in the air

It seemed effortless now
We were simply flowing along
Hearts pounding in anticipation of the impending end

We looked in awe

Where once the magnificent Lighthouse of Alexandria stood
There now stood our tower
Her head in the clouds

We were emptied by the God-sent river
Into the blue sea

Legs wobbling
Hearts full
Spirits ablaze
We walked to our tower

We had arrived.