I saw stars would circle… her defiant veil
Whilst her foes would fail… Zahra would prevail
* * *
There is a story that’s hidden… in history’s secret
So few tongues would tell it… that its taste words forget
It’s what happened to the daughter… of the best of all men
Who passed away broken… denied paper and pen
In his shadow stood a shadow… fearless not hesitant
Hidden yet defiant… oppressed against tyrant
Wanting her veil oppressed… these tyrants she addressed
Her words on them hail… Zahra would prevail
* * *
There she stood a woman against… men known for their power
Yet on them she’d tower… from iron this flower
Her veil that covered her body… draped her from head to toe
Armored against her foe… he shook when she said no
No to the reign that was Ali’s… usurped by tyranny
Whilst air her veils carry… beneath them is Ali
Beneath the veil that breathed… Ali with a sword sheathed
Ali her veils sail… Zahra would prevail
* * *
Glory be to the Lord that gave… her tears such weight and might
Her cries for Ahmed’s plight… had flipped day into night
God knows what lamenting took place… in her House of Sorrow
Mourn her would her shadow… weep would her tomorrow
Her tears made a mountain on which… against them she would stand
And tell them “understand… Ali won’t give his hand”
Allegiance we won’t pay… be it us your swords slay
Her words none could jail… Zahra would prevail
* * *
O’ you who usurped us of rights… know that daily in prayer
I’ll curse you and your heir… till my last breath of air
Your heir burnt the door of my house… the door of my father
My Mohsin would wither… his ashes I’d gather
If you return for forgiveness… know my Lord won’t forgive
A mercy He would give… you yearned it not to live
In every prayer I’ll send… on the first and second
Prayers that make men frail… Zahra would prevail
* * *
My veil, it is defiance… some call it oppression
Wear it shall brave women… as a flag of freedom
Freedom from men that think women… like me can be shaken
In the veil I walk in… your throne I have broken
My daughters till the end of time… their shackles they shall break
Revolutions they’ll make… leaving tyrants awake
Know this and remember… our veils are armor
The thrones of tyrants fall… Zahra would prevail
* * *
I told my husband, bury me… beneath the depths of night
Throw dust upon my light… let earth swallow my might
Hide my grave and keep it hidden… as a proof of my pain
Let none else see its grains… but Hassan and Hussain
And tell my two beloved children… that they shall see their days
When Hassan poison sways… and on earth Hussain lays
When Hussain lies barren… my veil shall shroud him
And at his burial… Zahra would prevail
* * *
(Orlando – 18/08/16)