GODSEND

Deep within the bosom of Taurus Mountain



It springs forth

The river Tigris



It grows as it flows by the banks



Of a city “Godsend”

Baghdad





Mysterious and alluring

Land of the Arabian nights

Magical lamps

Genies and magicians vile



Veiled Maidens

Caliphs of virtue

This was the year 762





It thrived for five centuries

The world came kneeling

To its door

A hub of inventions and

arts galore



It lit the path for tomorrow



In peace and tranquility

Tigris flowed



Until the Mongols arrived



Death rode with Halaku

Naked steel and Odium

Saddled as companions



800,000 were killed

Innocent blood was spilt

Heavens closed its eyes and could only weep

Halaku’s horses galloped in blood

Hooves deep





Tigris went red

Yet it flowed



Generations have come to pass

Carnage comes on wings

From the skies

Conjured by Bush, Blair, media and lies



History records

But it does not forget

Neither forgives



Tigris still flows

Labored, Unable



To wash the burden

Of sins committed

On its banks



Baghdad stands





“Godsend”

Author's Notes/Comments: 

I was watching the news and as usual it was about Iraq and Baghdad and it hurt. Since the year 1258 there has been nothing but bloodshed in this land. There is yet to be a place a piece of Earth so blood thirsty. Halaku Khan was the chief of Mongols and his deeds I have portrayed in verse. It is all true. The question is Are we not as barbaric as those a thousand years before?
In a recent report by the Lancet more than 600,000 innocent people have been massacred in Iraq. No matter how much the Govt. denies it rings of truth. So I thought why not share it with my fellow poets and tell them a bit about the history of Iraq and Baghdad which means GODSEND. How history is repeating itself.
I wrote it back in 2006

View shazi's Full Portfolio