10.
no words could approach
the tumultuous torture imbruing his heart
so he tore his shirt from the chest
and cast his turban to the ground
he knelt by the remains of his son
tears flooding streams from his eyes
until the words began to trickle into thoughts
that flowed as a burdened current to his tongue
“have you been so cursed
by this youthful infatuation
that you allow it to render you a fool
for what cause do you inflict
these extreme austerities upon yourself
if you lash yourself with a whip
it will break your skin to bleed
then question not the source of your suffering
“i will not soften my words
what is the prize for self-torture,
for this unrequited love
to annihilate yourself for passion
still results in your destruction
the ruin of our honor also tarnishes mine
and our clans
why do you stain my sovereignty
and desecrate your inheritance
for a poor maiden of another clan
if one day you hope to marry anyone
and hold a place in society
cease this insanity now!
“true friends must be
as an unveiled, uncolored looking glass
willing to reflect, without change,
harsh and brutal truths
until now,
i have been a compassionate father parsing
my criticisms
but now unfiltered advice i share
even at the risk of our relationship
“discarded wood chips cannot be turned into gold
this approach to alchemy is disease
running from this truth
will only imprison you to bondage
a prison cell haunted by lunacy
you make an idol of desire
such worship only leads to burning flames
you have stepped beyond the precipice
grab hold of the ledge
before you fall into depths
from which there is no return
only unending madness
that ends in death
“when you suffer, i suffer
whyfore should we mourn
when there is happiness in the world
people whose company inspires the sharing
of elation
no shadow of sadness
can survive the light of bliss
this is the elixir for misfortunes
come into this light
let it resurrect you
from those lost in the tombs of despair
“i say to you
what the prophet luqmaan, alayhi salaam
said to his heir,
‘oh, my son
keep up thy prayers
enjoin what is good
and forbid what is wrong
and persevere with patience
whatever befalls thee
that is the steadfast heart of phenomenon’
this is good advice from a prophet
let patience guide you to your beloved
whoever fate decrees her to be,
even if she is not layla
destiny has an awaiting prize for you
but drowning in this impassioned desperation
only leaves you writhing in the mud
“while you suffer,
she continues to blossom without you
has she joined you in your pains
has she taken any blows
your heart is being beat and tortured
what has she done to reciprocate your hardships
do i have to say
nothing
“even now the swords of the prefect
hunger for your blood
will she utter even a word for your protection
or will she wait until you are dead
to make empty public claims of love
or even less,
abide in silence
“oh my son,
you are dearer to me than life itself
come home and stay with me,
with your family who loves you
we have not ceased from acting
to secure your well-being
out here,
there is nothing but death and suffering
playing with madness
will only deliver your downfall”
❍ ● ❍