Catastrophe – The Invasion of Gaza
My head is in pain
So is my morale,
the mind and the body.
No part is sound
To be seen on me
I am so oppressed.
The prevailing crisis
The massacre of innocents
The wilful killing
Of the powerless,
The dead bodies all over
The streets of Gaza
And the Asqa Mosque
And the Holy land
In day and night..
Like a wolf attacking
Defenceless sheep
The worthiest are slain in the open
Seeing all of these
Fills me with agony.
The Muslims growing in number
All over the world
And visible everywhere
Alas! What to say
Beyond all expectation
They seek sweet life
In bars and coffee houses
Where dance and music
And theatrical jokes
Are found in plenty
They are too engaged.
Seeing all of these
Fills me with agony.
As for the Arab leaders
Damned be their names!
When we are deprived
Of our freedom
And the weak is burned,
The property stolen,
The Aqsa shrine
becomes beleaguered;
This telling story
Far from being concealed
This horrific disaster
This ignoble spectre
That hangs over the Muslims
To whom everyone
Bears full witness
They are shamelessly having their time.
Those with the scorned names
Who before the widest audience
Where everything is clearly seen
Have been contemptuously exposed,
For once at least
Even in protestation
Cannot say no.
Being so subdued,
Continue to praise
And clap their hands
for more servitude.
Seeing all of these
Fills me with agony.
It is you, Muxsin
Who in arts’ essence
And its poetic forms
Always took the lead
So, render my lyrics complete.
My brother, Mustafa
Your righteous word
Your unfailing wisdom
Your daring say
Your strong expression
Your sagacious advice
Like the Darwish verses
Set your mind to it
Surely you do possess
Mastery of this craft
So, complete my unfinished verse.
My Lord, it is you
To whom every body is accountable
Including the oppressor and the oppressed
You do differentiate between
By your divine justice
I beg of you
The prayers I make
With open hands
So solemnly
To accept of me.