Zainab's Promise

By: Sahar Hussain



The dawn unveils a hidden eminence,
its radiance encompassing the lone commander,
as he steadily marches ahead.
With his every step
he gains proximity with God
for he has dedicated his complete entity for His cause.
This is Hussain ibn Ali leading his caravan,
with his darling Abbas escorting him.
The sun meekly gazed down,
wishing to greet the little devotee,
whose rosy lips on eve of tenth night
shall plead for a single drop of water.
Ali Asghar smiled back,
reflecting his innocence
proving that he was only armed with childish gestures.
Hussain marched ahead,
complying to his Lord's command
for he knew that even death is sweet, if in Allah's way.
It is Zainab who kissed Al-Hussain's neck twice,
the first being the moment she fulfilled the promise,
that she made to her mother as a four year old.
The next, when she searched for little Sakina,
and found her with her arms wrapped around a severely bruised body.
Zainab kissed the torn veins of her beloved,
knowing that fate would distance them.
And yet when Ibn Ziyad asked about Kerbala,
my mistress replies "By God, I saw nothing but beauty " .