Suraiyya,
You are not alone.
Did you not dare to wear
the affection of Allah
like a protective armour?
Do unheard melodies not
lap at the shores of your ears?
During low tide,
like the tongues of the sea
climbing steep steps,
With bleeding feet
you fell down, fatigued,
at his doorstep.
Seeking shelter by the foot
of your formless master.
No more will people stone you.
And don’t you go blaming yourself.
The dense silence that nested
inside the stormy sea
is, from now on, yours.
That moment the night
and day melt into one
is now yours.
Leaving the forests and fields behind
crossing the river and the hill
with blood dripping from your feet
At last, at last,
you fell down at this doorstep.
Once upon a time, when
you walked beneath
the ruby-red malli tree,
it drizzled a little,
flowers rained down,
and you broke into laughter –
Don’t you remember?
Does the laughter of that adoloscent girl
Ring again today in your ears?
