SHAFAQNA –
let the orphan in najaf
call out my name tonight
(“yumma!”)
with his tears as if
permanently pressed
against his face
his arm trying to block them
his tears flow into the grooves
of his pillow
his sleepless nights, starry and cold,
match mine
let the orphan in najaf
call out my name tonight
(“yumma!”)
with his scars buried
so deeply
that no one can see
when he can finally see
without blinders or binoculars
or tears
let his vision
be the same as mine
let him turn over
sigh, and
fall asleep
so tired,
he can’t wait for me
any longer, and i say
across the aethyrs,
“don’t wake up, yumma.
i’ll see you at the break of
light at dawn.”
it is because of
you i am umm haydar today
it is because of
you i took this kunya
because the lord told me
in a waking dream
that i will come take you home
one day even if takes
all night.
By Kawther Rahmani