What an absence upon the eye… you are Karbala
What Heavens lie beneath a sky? You are Karbala
* * *
When man walks upon you a day… his heart you’ve captured
This same heart he leaves beside you… and returns withered
Your absence pains whilst your presence… by angels nurtured
As beneath your dust sleeps heroes… immortals martyred
Who in your absence cannot cry? You are Karbala
* * *
Before the eye looks upon you… of you the mind dreams
Before drawn on the eye, the heart… you’re land fate it deems
A land where love worth more than gold… in your wind it streams
Perched against the harsh desert sun… Hussain’s dome it gleams
You exist before you reply… you are Karbala
* * *
Upon your sands has spilled our blood… for a thousand years
Tyranny on your horizon… with each age it peers
Yet he who inhales your dust… away melts his fears
The courage of his forefathers… in his blood appears
And your name becomes his outcry… you are Karbala
* * *
Paved is your land O’ Karbala… paved with Heaven’s dust
Lands of Heavens within your hands… the Lord has entrust
Blessed is what grows both on you… and beneath your crust
If all Earthly lands were destroyed… remain your land must
How can the clouds leave your land dry? You are Karbala
* * *
Mecca struggles with pilgrimage… of three million
Yet yearly you’re small town receives… thirteen million
None leaves you unclothed nor unfed… even the orphan
Truly what we pray to is Earth… but you are Heaven
Both the young and old you stand by… you are Karbala
* * *
The night hung high above your land… the stars decorate
Yet the stargazers on your sands… can’t these stars locate
For all beauties known toward man… round your land rotate
The stars like all symbols of God… your sand’s grains predate
And if any soul would ask why… you are Karbala
* * *
Who without tears within their eyes… can bid you farewell?
When their wounds and hidden secrets… to your sands they tell
When your presence is medicine… they return unwell
And the tales of your wonders… to their sons they tell
On your invite households rely… you are Karbala
* * *
(London – 23/09/11)