They all stare at me… their eyes upon me
They say this old lonely woman… and they speak of me
* * *
I stand alone after the lights of my eyes went
To serve the eyes of Hussein was my intent
To a grip of grief and sorrow my heart I’ve lent
For them all to talk about me I had not meant
They look with their eyes… at my heart’s demise
And say beneath this woman’s heart… her son Hussein lies
* * *
I am left here without children in Medina
All I talk to is the night and grave of Zahra
The night taunts me and says all her children left her
And Zahra’s grave to my words gives no answer
No hope in my words… sorrow unanswered
And yet the night it still taunts me… your sons were murdered
* * *
In my empty house my eyes look out my window
All it sees is, my murdered sons and my tears flow
Every strike on my Abbas strikes mine like arrows
Every memory of them leaves me a shadow
Shadows do not speak… but they cry and weep
Indeed I am but a shadow… with blood by my feet
* * *
They gather at my house and into it they gaze
And say her cries the woman with no light nor days
Sorrow sits with her in all of her acts and ways
For Hussein’s love her own children to death she paid
Her tears flow rivers… this Heaven’s rivers
And Heaven does not know her worth… everything owes her
* * *
This Ummul Baneen the sign of patience
To her house no man has right of admittance
Beside Abbas who cries for her in the distance
A blood-red horizon gazes at her grievance
All gaze at her heart… heart torn all-apart
This is the cost of Hussein’s love… from life you depart
* * *
When they lower her cold body into her grave
This body still for her sons return it craves
For years she waited and accepted death so brave
And her lovers who carry her are like waves
People carry her… the dust calls for her
Death for her was but a mercy… her sons call for her
* * *
Ummul Baneen your lovers will not forget
Each tear you shed, forever our eyes will be wet
Twice a year we gather, cry and beat our chests
On your death and on the day your Hussein left
Yet you deserve more… for you millions mourn
But know when Mehdi arises… vengeance he’ll assure
* * *
(London – 27/07/10)