A Mercy Case

humanity’s story

from beginning to end

is written in pages

no human can amend

 

from where did we come

and to where shall we go

there are so many details

that only One can know

 

but I do not need

to know the whole plot

for my heart is lost

on the same spot

 

in the sands of Iraq

under the blazing sun

I find deep conviction

in the promise of One

 

at the feet of my Imam

in love with Husayn

the pathway to pleasure

is riddled with pain

 

so I’ll saddle my horse

once again I must ride

in the comfort of friends

I can no longer hide

 

to distant shores I must travel

miles to go before sleep

to offer what I have

for my life is not cheap

 

I will only spend it

on a life without fear

in the abiding trust

he is always near

 

my Husayn come with me

please stand by my side

so that my studies and labors

will fill you with pride

 

the tears I have cried

inspire my work

fighting against whispers

that always lurk

 

Muslim scholars once studied

more than just their own faith

so embracing diversity

should not feel unsafe

 

a false choice to choose

between mosque and the world

when in history’s pages

Husayn’s flag was unfurled

 

for the whole world’s a stage

and we can never forget

the scene of 680

when two armies met

 

one was for truth

filled with family and friends

and the other for falsehood

seeking the basest of ends

 

and even though death

fell hard upon the first

it left this seeker

with an undying thirst

 

as if Husayn’s absence

is a void in human life

that can only be filled

in that land without strife

 

so what can you give me

o people of Earth

instead of showing me Husayn

you offer far less in worth

 

I was created for Heaven

and my Lord set the price

my life for His Gifts

I don’t have to think twice

 

no matter how much I travel

or read or love

nothing will slake me

except my Master above

 

at the end of my days

with nothing left to give

I hope I’ll look back

at the life I choose to live

 

and see how Husayn

gave me both earth and sky

and promised me victory

through every tear I cry

 

even though the end seems far

soon it will come

and I pray for acceptance

at the work I will have done

 

my dreams can be found

near gardens and rivers that flow

but I will only get there

by being fearless here below