هيهات منا الذلة
I saw her scattered all over the sidewalk….
Hijab askew.
White before, now of a red hue.
‘Haithaath minna dhilla’, escaped her lips
Before she closed her eyes,
And slept in bliss.
I see a child crouched a little further….
Head buried in her hands,
Longing for her mother
Who died fighting for her honour
‘Haihaath minna dhilla’, she hears the chant and feels the power.
I see the old man,
His white beard soaked in blood,
Protecting his kin,
His clothes torn, his mind worn,
‘Haihaath minna dhilla’ - to himself he has sworn
I see the youth,
Some still fighting,
Retaliating an oppression,
Refusing to live in disgrace and depression,
They wake up every morning,
Shedding their blanket of dreams of freedom,
Stopping to take a breath - seldom,
‘Haihaath minna dhilla’running through their blood,
Never to give in,
Minds made up.
I see me
Painting their troubles,
Painting their pain,
Telling their tales,
‘Haihath minna dhilla’, running through my veins.
-Ambereena Razvi
At least you have the courage to accept
ReplyDeletethat Haihath minna dhilla
has not faded away,
At least you have the courage to feel
that Haihath minna dhilla
still runs through your veins,
At least you have the courage to remind yourself
that Haihath minna dhilla
still exists,
At least you are not like those
who forget the call of Haihath minna dhilla
as if it never was said.
You are an amazing writer as well as an amazing artist.
Thank you my dear.
ReplyDeleteFear is but an illusion.
A veil that obstructs the truth.
Lift the veil and walk free
Towards the light
Towards the truth.