The month of Hussain has arrived
It has come
Month of maatam
Of Muharram
* * *
The smell of smoke and of ash
Has now filled the air
Leaving my heart feeling pain
Feeling Zainab’s despair
O’ Zahra
Bring your fire
To Karbala
* * *
I hear the cries of mothers
It shakes me to my core
I feel the grip of Rabab
Clutching the child she bore
God forbid
Come empty cribs
And broken ribs
* * *
I hear the hands of Abbas
Yearning to be severed
On the plains of Karbala
Who now shall hold the spears?
O’ Abbas
God bless your heart
All torn apart
* * *
I hear the heart of Qassim
Crying out Ya Ali
Just as the heart of Akbar
Says “father, I’m ready”
Two cousins
What was their sin?
Why were they slain?
* * *
I hear the chest of Hussain
Call out for the arrows
As the sand of Karbala
Holds dear the blood that flows
Tears shall fall
As the hearts crawl
To give their all
* * *
(Dearborn – 09/07/22)