Am I in Najaf? For here I see… within a fresh coffin, an Ali
Who is that fresh martyr… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
My feet step onto the desert of Samarra
A dark land, but somehow it feels familiar
For I smell the scent of Najaf and of Haidar
My heart tense, but somehow its has become softer
What is this feeling – it feels like love… were I alone it would be enough
Who speaks to this lover… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
I feel I’m in Najaf, but it’s not quite the same
Because I entered and no generous souls came
They told me Ali was killed, what a familiar name
But the name that brought us pride brought them only shame
What kind of men, what kind of people… they hear ‘Ali’ and shame they feel?
Which name did they hate more… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
This can’t be Najaf for by none was I welcomed
And no house called out for me to make it its home
In Najaf angels roam, but here just devils roam
I look around but I see no beautiful dome
There’s no mighty shrine, and no lovers… just a lone Ali, and no others
Which one did disappear… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
A coffin so lonely you could see its shroud weep
A young Hassan beside it, as the whole world sleeps
In Samarra, Bani Hashim’s blood was still cheap
Ten Imams killed and their hatred they still keep
What a threat he was – a man in prayer… that he made whimper an empire
Wo was that at Khaybar… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
What a darkened land – no – Najaf this cannot be
Yes, there is a grave, but no friends, no family
And remain shall this hatred for the name Ali
His golden dome in rubble and wreck eyes shall see
When you see that dome all cracked in two… know the strike on Ali continues
Who’s struck in Samarra… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
Tell Askari as upon Hadi he wails
That with the cry of Ya Ali nothing fails
So we cry out with his name, with the heart frail
O’ Allah make the reign of Mahdi prevail
And when rises up Allah’s relief… together we shall visit Najaf
Who will we lament there… Al-Hadi or Haidar?
* * *
(London – 26/01/23)