"و لكن لا يوم مثل يومك ... يا ابا عبد الله ..."

40 days on

From the time of his birth or before
they knew his final fate
& carried its immense burden in their breasts
each time they saw him smile
or stumble on toddler's unsteady feet and begin to cry

How their hearts must have ached
at the pressure of this crushing, silent weight
overshadowing each sunny day as he was raised
knowing, each time they ran to protect him
they could not protect him at the hardest time to come

"My dear one", they must have said
"You have a status with Allah you will not attain
except through martyrdom"
& steeled & groomed him as best they could,
then one by one left their baby, & with him their hearts

They watched history unfold on burning sands, with baited breath
in floods of tears & heavy grief, but immense, immense pride
as he fulfilled his destiny, alone
& returned softly to their welcoming arms,
to take his promised place.

* * *



* * *

the Arba'een
Feb '08