I’m the thirsty… I’m the stranger
I’m the martyr… I am Hussain
To her womb Fatima speaks
And this unborn child speaks,
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
When Hussain was but a foetus in his mother
Yet his symbol and light was still like no other
She speaks to him as her veil her tears smother
And a thousand listening angels they gather
O’ my child… Why do you speak
To break my heart… And burn my cheek?
With a mother’s soul she speaks,
And this unborn child speaks,
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
O’ mother I am the thirsty, and with my tongue
I recite to you as the prince of all the young
Mother chains around my throat the thirst it has strung
And with what voice do I call for help, so unsung
I am breathless… Feel helpless
And my children… Soon fatherless
Each child’s wail it speaks,
And this unborn child speaks,
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
O’ child Fatima answers with her anguish
Let the water of my tongue your thirst extinguish
How can now, my child, when you’re yet to flourish
All dreams of your safe future with your thirst perish
A mother’s heart… Does not bare weight
Of her child… Reaching harm’s fate
A broken heart to you speaks,
And this unborn child speaks
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
O’ mother I am a stranger as my household
Lay opposite me strewn on the desert’s fold
Mother are we not the family weaved from gold?
I extend my hand out yet only wind it holds
My hand extends… Who will answer?
Only the wind… Greets this stranger
And this land’s scent to me speaks,
And this unborn child speaks
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
O’ child when I sit in the house of sorrows
Each wail I cry out my shadow it echoes
For your mother wanders within darkened meadows
Much like you, Hussain on you this world strangeness throws
Your a stranger… Like your mother
Martyred alone… With no helper
My heart to your heart it speaks
And this unborn child speaks
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
Mother my neck missed your fingertip’s touch and scent
When the blade in Shimr’s hands welcomed its moment
The eyes of your daughter witnessed this covenant
The neck you once kissed the victim of a blade’s dent
I’m the martyr… Of Karbala
And it laments… To you Zahra
Condolences this land speaks
And this unborn child speaks
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
This is the mother who throws dust upon her head
And strikes her thighs as this picture in her is embed
She cries O’ child much like you my forehead bled
Yet by the hand of a man and not a blade’s dread
A mother’s eyes… They bear witness
My womb, your home… Needs your closeness
The heart of a mother speaks
And this unborn child speaks
I am Hussain… I am Hussain
* * *
(London – 03/04/11)