All my patience… with my grievance
Falls apart within your absence
* * *
Today I bid farewell to all the good I’ve seen
My husband departs the arms of Ummul Baneen
I am torn between soothing my cries and between
Soothing the cries of Zainab, Hassan and Hussain
Roses wither… mountains falter
Gone is the world’s sweetest fragrance
* * *
The gold for our marriage that once I would polish
I watch with the pillar of our house demolish
Could it be that to never have met you I wish?
Ali forgive me but I’m swallowed by anguish
Memories burn… for you I yearn
Missing your touch and your presence
* * *
They call me the mother of grief and of sorrow
What else would I become living in your shadow?
You plucked me a rose and within your hand I’d grow
Your death crushed this rose, down your hands, its blood would flow
I watch birds fall… broken, they crawl
Their wings broken by your silence
* * *
What began as a divine, holy lover’s dream
Became a house of sorrow where only tears stream
Our marriage would once make the house of Ali gleam
My name in his heart, his name deep in my bloodstream
Destiny cries… what’s written, dies
Lost in a weeper’s ambience
* * *
Ali and in Ali are virtues like oceans
Ali and with Ali every secret opens
Ali and for Ali I raised for him lions
Ali without Ali his widow awakens
Rivers run dry… even stones cry
Defying logic and science
* * *
Ali and awaits Ali the throne of his Lord
Ali and came for Ali a heavenly sword
Ali descended Ali as God’s written word
Ali, ascended Ali, the heavens applaud
Heaven’s rejoice… left me no choice
But to mourn God’s perfect guidance
* * *
To the pillar of religion I bid farewell
And alone soothe the cries of his children’s wail
Descends upon our house angel after angel
And the legends of Ali toward them I tell
Even legend… grief cannot mend
History left in disturbance
* * *
(London – 21/07/13)