Hajj, Then and Now

Pilgrims used to put out to sea
in little boats, at the mercy of wind and rain,
putting their lives in God's hands.
Sailing was not a science, but an art,
risky business, crossing an ocean...

Land was safer, most agree
(but remember, this was before cars and trains).
Endless miles on foot or by donkey caravan.
Chancy wells, sometimes unreliable charts
could defeat any human precaution.

Now we travel more comfortably
(or faster, anyway) by plane.
There, where the holy city stands
freeways help pilgrims arrive and depart.
We live in the Age of Motion.

The journey's shorter than it used to be.
These things remain:
burning wind off desert sands,
upwelling joy in pilgrim hearts,
sweet water and deep devotion.