When I saw the tents burning with fire
I remembered the house of my mother
Alone in Karbala… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
The tents ablaze and alone here I stand… with no-one left to embrace
As both my feet are being burned by the sand… and fire scorches my face
Today someone else’s pain I understand… today her steps I retrace
They did not find a Zahra upon this land… so I have taken her place
There was no house of Fatima to burn
So they burned all the tents of her children
On each child, a scar… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
When I heard Hussain to Abbas crying… “brother my back is broken”
I remembered the sound of something breaking… when Zahra’s rib was taken
When I saw him from the river returning… looking pale and shaken
I remembered by Zahra he’d be wailing… “O’ mother please awaken”
I remembered Hussain upon her chest
When Shimr upon my brother would rest
And I screamed from afar… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
When I heard Hussain’s child crying from thirst… “O’ father I am thirsty”
I remembered the child who before birth… cried “mother please protect me”
When the veins of Abdullah’s neck would burst… and I saw a killed baby
I remembered the one who me this death first… before his cradle would sway
One soon after his birth met with his death
One met his death long before his first breath
In my shock and horror… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
When I was alone and I faced danger… I cried “help me O’ Abbas”
I remembered your voice crying for Haider… when your chest nails would pierce
And just like into our house O’ my mother… these oppressors would trespass
Through the tents, defenceless, with no protector… hundreds of Shimrs pass
I curse the one who crushed you with the door
Hundreds just like him into our tents pour
With arrows and fire… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
O’ Zahra around your daughter this world burns… and this fire has no end
The one who burned your house with fire returns… and your daughters I defend
I watch the smoke as into my lungs it turns… the ashes toward me bend
A Fatima Zahra Yazid’s army yearns… curses upon me they send
I remembered when I smelt the ashes
Your chest O’ Fatima the door crushes
And I scream O’ mother… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
A daughter in distress yearns her mother’s arms… in your absence I wail
I wanted your hand but found blood on my palms… and it came from the nail
O’ Fatima your voice comforts and it calms… my torture to you I tell
You bid farewell to me and your absence harms… when to all I bid farewell
I was tortured by the tears in my eye
When to every loved one I bid goodbye
Between dead I wander… I remembered Zahra… I remember
* * *
(London – 19/03/14)