Hussain lies on the ground… Hussain lies on the ground
* * *
I see night won’t come as the sun has delayed its decent
I see the stars turn to Earth leaving the seven skies bent
I see meteors fall and an eclipse left in torment
Watching Zainab upon the body of Hussain lament
It’s as if the sun collapses watching the sun fallen
Drowned within his own blood and with arrows he is ridden
* * *
I watch the mighty Ark of Noah succumb to that flood
The beautiful Hashemi skin of Hussain drowned in blood
The petals of Muhammad crushed and stolen its rose bud
Trampled by horses and its blood mixed with Karbala’s mud
The one who is the master of the highest of Heavens
Left scattered upon the earth and complain to him his bones
* * *
The swords did not kill Hussain, rather they all fell prostrate
Left in awe that Hussain the Lord of the worlds could create
The darkness of the sky the stars refuse to decorate
As Zainab mourns the burning city and its falling gate
Seeing the mountain fallen breaks the mountain of patience
Her hijab hushes her cries whilst screaming is his silence
* * *
Zainab my sister, daughter of the one who killed Marhab
Daughter of a struck head and daughter of a broken rib
Leave my body here and take with you Farwa and Rabab
Cry your tears O’ Zainab but cover them with your hijab
The smoke and ash of the burning tents won’t bring you despair
If the whole world burns O’ Zainab, you’d still cover your hair
* * *
When I see you Zainab, I see Maryam’s chastity
In your hijab I see Zahra’s flag still flying proudly
I don’t see a woman covered in ash with no family
I see a Queen on a throne who sees nothing but beauty
I am beheaded and the Universe weeps at my state
But around your hijab I now see the planets rotate
* * *
O’ Hussain we’ve sacrificed so much, will people listen?
I see a trampled body that to stars would once glisten
Will future people take heed and listen to your lesson?
Or will it be in vain the cries of me and your children?
Hussain replies, O’ Zainab by the river of my blood
When people hear our story they’ll bow and submit to God
* * *
O’ sister by my crushed body that Shimr would behead
By the skin that Fatima kissed that was to the swords fed
By my thirst that was quenched only by the blood that I bled
Every woman that falls in love with me by you is led
Each lover of your story shall proudly wear a veil
Telling the world they’re inspired by Zainab and her tale
* * *
Zainab takes the children as around her they all huddle
And she takes Rabab away from Asghar’s empty cradle
They ask their aunty, why does our father lay there idle?
She replies if they ask you, what you saw was beautiful
His mission has ended and now our mission shall begin
With your hijab O’ daughters, battle Yazid from within
* * *
(Preston – 26/07/15)