When we call out for guidance… is your answer your silence?
When this world makes us cry Ali… is your answer your silence?
* * *
Ali O’ moon that reflects truth… we circle this moon a cloud
A cloud pinned to you as written… with our birth and on our shroud
With each new wound written for us… our pride pushes on as proud
And when a voice cries out your name… it cries with no shame, aloud
Breathed in mind and in conscience… the shadow of your absence
When our allegiance we announce… is your answer your silence?
* * *
O’ saint encompassed in a shrine… of which men long for and dream
Your name sits with us a symbol… and it flows in the bloodstream
If your name’s screamed in agony… what reply would you so deem?
For you are the last stop of hope… when all hope’s lost, it would seem
With every step of patience… longed is your hand and presence
And when the heart calls out for you… is your answer your silence?
* * *
Whilst intellect tries to reason… weight upon it is hardship
When knowledge builds a patient heart… this world’s weight loosens its grip
So when this same heart distraught screams… for its only true friendship
Would you answer such despair… and with peace this heart equip?
How many live in grievance… for paying you allegiance?
So when they need the prince of gold… is your answer your silence?
* * *
Fed us the milk of our mothers… with this your love to us came
Now when left to walk in darkness… what we search for is your name
So when our eye sought out morals… if found your teachings a flame
On this eye drawn was your picture… and a symbol it became
When we searched for brilliance… what we found was your fragrance
When you know your name perfumes us… is your answer your silence?
* * *
We were entranced by you Ali… and were named with no other
The unanswered questions all sought… we learnt from Ahmed’s brother
And our eloquence we learnt from… the husband of our mother
For our women grew our valour… we learnt from valour’s father
Our morals are your science… and you’ve become our essence
When we are parts of each other… is your answer your silence?
* * *
When the world sits on our shoulders… the tongue ‘O’ Ali’ it cries
This cry when from mountains we fall… or above mountains we rise
For the name and cry of Ali… impossible it defies
And ensures we live forever… whilst all others reach demise
A self-sustaining substance… that grows within time’s distance
When cried Ali’s immortal name… is your answer your silence?
* * *
(London – 05/12/12)