Abbas, lion cub of Haider… son of Zahra’s sanctity
When you see Hassan’s coffin torn… hold back your sword like Ali
* * *
O’ my lion cub O’ Abbas… I’m Haider Ali your father
You who tore men into two halves… today weep for your half-brother
Arrows pierce his lonely coffin… a patient yet blood-stained feather
Take your hand away from that sword… just like I did for his mother
Embrace your chains O’ my lion… and embrace them patiently
When you see those arrows fired… hold back your sword like Ali
* * *
Bearer of the veins that explode… when danger comes toward your pride
Let your eyes from sorrow explode… and beneath that your anger hide
Do not react to their arrows… and keep my Zainab by your side
When you carry Hassan’s coffin… my beloved carry it with pride
They will fire arrows at it… Abbas protect your family
The time for vengeance will come soon… hold back your sword like Ali
* * *
O’ defender of my daughter… be there to soothe my Zainab’s cries
When lodged in his coffin my son… shattered by arrows alone lies
Let your patience fly like your flag… above all other flags it flies
I know when you can’t draw your sword… like your half-brother your soul dies
Say goodbye to your half-brother… let those piercing arrows stay
When you can’t remove them from him… hold your sword back like Ali
* * *
The slap on Hassan’s mother’s cheek… is the same cheek Hassan would kiss
The broken rib of his mother… guards the heart that Hassan would miss
When you stay patient O’ Abbas… you remember and reminisce
I had to keep my own sword sheathed… witnessing so much worse than this
They set fire to my wife’s door… from the smoke her lungs heavy
When you see her daughter Zainab… old your sword back like Ali
* * *
Bid farewell to your half-brother… hold your sword for it won’t end here
When you reach the land Karbala… draw your sword and into death peer
Become the sparrow you wanted… pick your prey, and souls from them tear
Do not stop till your hands are cut… and your head is placed on a spear
When Zainab sees your head held there… a burnt-out moon torn away
She’ll recall today when you would… hold your sword back like Ali
* * *
(London – 19/11/15)