How empty the night has become
When even the moon is alone
And the tents have become empty
And our men are just flesh and bone
* * *
The stars weep for me together
I have not a single brother
My sons fallen on the desert
I stand as a sonless mother
* * *
My hands fallen in the desert
As my flag no longer flutters
Whatever hearts are left beating
I’m the burning tents they shatter
* * *
My nephew also lies fallen
How I wail upon Qassim
I see on his lifeless body
The bloodied turban of Hassan
* * *
As the fire is still burning
I see Hussain’s daughters running
As the devils would sack our tents
Ruqaya cries, her ear bleeding
* * *
My brothers voice has gone silent
As upon him angels lament
I will never hear him again
As he lies there with his back bent
* * *
I say to myself O’ Zainab
They’re in need of your leadership
Wipe the blood of your abaya
On your sorrow hold a firm grip
* * *
The road is long but what’s longer
Will be the days that you’ll lament
So become like Ali’s mountain
And rescue the girls from the tents
* * *
(Dearborn – 24/07/22)