Thoughts on the Poem Abou Ben Adhem

[Bob]

The poem Abou Ben Adhem is intriguing. Here is a man who says he does not love God, but “loves his fellow-men“ (presumably exemplifies Love Thy Neighbor).
Why? What might be his gripe with God? Thoughts?


Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
'What writest thou?' - The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered 'The names of those who love the Lord.'

'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,'
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said 'I pray thee then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.'

The angel wrote, and vanish'd. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had bless'd,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

 

[RedFan]

Well, he never declared he didn't love the Lord. He declared he loved his fellow man -- presumably to raise the inference that the latter implies the former (which gets confirmed at the end of the poem).