These are the words written in tears… let them to you paint an image
When Jaber comes to Karbala… which body does he first visit?
Hussain… Or Abbas?
* * *
From the ink that flows in my pen… to blood that flows in Karbala
Let these words rest within your mind… as to you I paint a picture
This land with bodies is ridden… and steps upon this sand Jaber
Yet his eye searches for but one… is it Hussain or his brother?
Which body will he first visit… and upon them strike his own head
Even my words find themselves torn… as do the tears that my eyes shed
Hussain… Or Abbas
* * *
Words that reside inside my soul… and each word wants two things different
How can I love intertwined flames… yet their own bodies lie separate?
Between this Safa and Marwa… enchained in a painful moment
Hussain calls for him whilst Abbas… cries for the women in the tents
Both voices break apart his mind… one lies, left by horses trampled
The other’s voice never ending… “Forgive me Master, I’ve failed”
Hussain.. Or Abbas
* * *
Why was I gifted hands to write… when Abbas’ hands are severed?
How can I drink for nourishment… when Hussain’s thirst I’ve remembered?
When Jaber asks Hussain’s body… he answers go to my brother
When Jaber turns to the river… Abbas says bring Hussain water
I ask both Safa and Marwa… never will you leave each other
So why do Hussain and Abbas… both scream, “farwell O’ my brother”
Hussain… Or Abbas
* * *
O’ Jaber know I am Abbas… and I am of Ali’s descent
They are the sons of Mohammed… and to protect them I had meant
Yet tell Hussain I have failed… and plays on my mind this event
Women between horses running… for this future nations lament
O’ future people forgive me… I gave both my hands and my eye
I swear if my Lord allowed me… from my murder I would arise
Hussain… Or Abbas
* * *
O’ Jaber know I am Hussain… does Abbas in regret reside?
When my back’s broken after him… and my soul has died with his plight
He never once called me brother… letters of his name I’d recite
Not once did he look in my eye… when Jaber I longed for his sight
And yet still even with his death… my brother is ashamed near me
Jaber tell all those who visit… to visit Abbas before me
Hussain… Or Abbas?
* * *
From the ink that flows in my pen… to the land with bodies ridden
Hussain tells Jaber forget us… turn your eye toward our women
Watch as they scream out both our names… as we lie on the ground fallen
As they run from tent toward tent… as run between horses orphans
Watch Zainab upon my body… she calls out O’ my Lord accept
And my daughters run to Abbas… O’ Abbas your women protect
Hussain… Or Abbas
* * *
(London – 20/01/11)