by Muhammad Irfan Shariff
She spoke to me, through the words of a lens
And a microphone wrapped with BBC tape,
He cried in my arms,
Bones wrapped in what's left of a skin canton-crepe.
As I apply sunscreen at 40 SPF percent,
His mother applies for a refugee camp tent...
Held up by little more than their bodily bones can hold
And as my interlocked finger skin is about to fold
To change the channel I actually stop and breathe
And see, my own muslim family.
We are related by worshiping Allah alone...
I wish I could invite them to my home...
Wishing for a chance to reply to her call.
My sister... baking in the sun crying in unison with all
With no food or water, she becomes a photograph
Her muscles ache cushioned with no body fat
She clutches my little brother in her arms...
Her head is wrapped...
Her body is covered
With humility brighter than achernar
And yet her hunger is naked for the world to see
Showing the bare minimum human life can sustain
Broken, my lacrimal levees remain
Oh Allah we are in need of your mercy
Oh my sister how your naked hunger...
We pray, will be covered completely
Masha Allah, very well written ... paints a clear picture ... well timed too.
FYI --
I just got a flyer a few days ago from an organization whose name I can't remember correctly right now -- but it listed that between the three countries Lebanon, Pakistan and Afghanistan (I think Pakistan was one of 'em), about 12 million children have been orphaned in the past years. 12 million!!! If I even think of my child being alone and lost anywhere for 5 minutes, I truly shudder. I couldn't even begin to speak about their turmoil. Please, lets remember them (and all the other muslimeen and orphans around the world) in our duas. That's the least we can do. There moms and dads may not even be here to pray for them. May Allah have mercy on the oppressed/hurt/orphaned all around the world, and grant them Rehma in this world & in the hereafter. Ameen.
BTW -- before anyone comments on this, I haven't checked if the number '12 million' is correct or not. The number isn't my point.
on October 6, 2006 4:59 PMWow, mashaAllah...I agree with Saima, very well written...
on October 8, 2006 7:54 AMAssalamu-Alaikum,
JazakumAllahkhar for the comments...
Prize for the person who define and describe how the following words were used
canton-crepe
achernar
lacrimal
MashaAllaah, this is definitely one of the best pieces of rhyme I have ever seen uttered from Br Irfan.
And yeah, "lacrimal levees"... contender for best use of two words right next to each other (this year, at least).
on October 9, 2006 4:10 PMHOw come the website is down?
Anyone writign an article on the niqab?
on October 19, 2006 6:07 PMAssalaamu Alaikum Ya Hidayans!
* E * I * D * U * L * F * I * T * R ***** M * U * B * A * R * A * K *
May Allah gather us all in Jannatul Firdaus...with our family and loved ones...and spare us humiliation and torment of the hell fire....AMEEN
Ok, who is writing the next article...lets get this Hidayaonline site rolling again....insha'Allah.
Ma'Assalaama
on October 25, 2006 7:31 PMAlright maaaaaad late, I know...just wanted to say I really liked the metaphors used in this piece. Ma sha Allaah, may Allaah increase you in eloquence...Ameen.
on November 17, 2006 3:38 AMawwwwwwwwww
jazkaumAllahkhar brother amr.
May Allah increase us all with knowledge and understanding of this deen
ameen
If you want... I am performing this Monday November 27th at Busch Campus Student Center for World Aids Day. I think its a benefit dinner for HIV awareness and research. See you there insha Allah at 8pm
take care
on November 26, 2006 2:59 PMsalams brother irfan,
i'd b interested in the answers with relation to the following post :-)
Assalamu-Alaikum,
JazakumAllahkhar for the comments...
Prize for the person who define and describe how the following words were used
canton-crepe
achernar
lacrimal
on October 8, 2006 11:20 PM
Assalamu-Alaikum,
Finally someone actually bothered to wonder what the words mean... But I really wanted a reader to define the words
canton-crepe- Is a type of garment material that is light and almost like skin.
achernar- Is the eigth brightest star in the sky
lacrimal- And your lacrimal glands are the glands that release your tears when you cry...
Hope you enjoyed... and that it actually makes you think and feel....
again...
No Makeup Needed
So now you have to
on December 7, 2006 11:35 AM