Shaam E Ghariban
(Evening of loneliness)

By: Sahar Hussain



Tears springing from the Euphrates of my eye,
as I sketch the scene of helplessness,
on the canvas of my heart.
The fire of Namrood leaping hungrily,
lashing upon the afflicted hearts,
the ripening of the intrinsic agony.
Listen ... hear the cracking of the fire,
as it plunges forth,
engulfing the memories laden within the tents.
See with the vision of your heart,
Ali Asghar's green cradle burning ...
This is the evening of distress; the hour of lamenting,
as the little children burry their blistered feet,
amid the thorny bushes of Naynawa
each one crying his own eulogy,
wishing that the scene would fade away,
and light shine upon their bruised faces.
The field of Kerbala is Sakina's compatriot,
as she calls onto her darling father.
" Father " she cries with blood effusing from her ears,
" will this sun ever set? "
My heart pounds with grief,
as I see her tiny arms stretched out,
longing to reach her father's warm lap.
And Hussain's headless body,
in return, swinging Sakina to sleep ...