In each dream presented to me… I see with death he welcomes me
And so when his presence I yearn… for my Abbas, my death I yearn
In each dream presented to me
* * *
When I ache from the tears I shed… and this ache sends my eyes to sleep
Propelled one world to another… as into death’s shadow I leap
Lowered into a darkened grave… and upon me the insects creep
Till I hear Ali’s battle-cry… and comes pouncing an angered weep
“I am Abbas son of Haider… dare you creep upon my mother”
And to my beloved I turn… for my Abbas my death I yearn
In each dream presented to me
* * *
As I sleep in the tears I shed… and upon them my head I rest
I converse with this champion… the victor of every contest
He says you fed me my courage… and bathed me within honour’s nest
So that the moon’s jealous of me… and all part for all my conquests
Mother I’ve wrestled with the moon… no, nothing’s stopped me from this tomb
To his mother’s womb he returns… for my Abbas my death I yearn
In each dream presented to me
* * *
I tell him, my son cradle me… like your mother you once cradled
These memories play on my mind… without your warmth I have struggled
He answers, mother with what hands… they were torn as my flag toppled
And handless by beasts surrounded… for Hussain the devil I duelled
You taught when I slept in your arms… my blood before tears on his palms
Hussain’s flame shall forever burn… for my Abbas my death I yearn
In each dream presented to me
* * *
Were I to wander a desert… and then by water my tongue quenched
This is how I have welcomed death… the angel of death my hands clenched
Yet you Abbas refused to drink… and so left honour’s tongue unquenched
Not when Hussain, the cup of death… was to drink whilst with arrows drenched
This is how I’ve raised my children… his love makes widows and orphans
A motherless womb it must learn… for my Abbas my death I yearn
In each dream presented to me
* * *
O’ mother take my handless arm… for awaits you a gold palace
Built with your love of this household… your hardship has paved for you grace
Forever at its door I kneel… for no man shall look on your face
Until arrives a headless man… and this stranger you shall embrace
When your beloved Hussain arrives… I’ll open your door with his cries
This is the moment that you earn… for your Hussain your death you yearn
In each dream presented to me
* * *
(London – 13/05/11)