With broken pieces of my heart,

I write a poem about Karbala's depart.

What a beautiful gift gave me, my mother

A heart that cries for Nainava and remembers your brother.

You sacrificed Ali’s, Hasnain’s and your beloved sons.

At midday, during the raging, burning sun.

O’Zainab ! as a poet it bewitches me while writing.

Your brother is martyred, horses trample and blood flooding.

Such horrors on the prophet's progeny and you saw it coming.

Bloody battle ragged all day,

At Asr’ the world became dark, there is no way.

O’ great Zainab you took on the mantle to show the way.

O’Zainab,

You entered Kufa’s palace with awe inspiring dignity and calmness.

Ibn E Ziyad’s court was amazed at your gentleness.

You disputed the wrongdoers with your speeches, aloud.

And your eloquence silenced the overbearing crowd.

O’ Zainab, you, ‘The messenger of Bathaa’ , emerged as a timeless role model for humanity.

You taught us ‘Victory of truth’ in Karbala’s calamity.

Your exemplary role, Asr E Ashura is a work of lasting poetry.

Alina Zaidi