Written by Manika Harikumar.
On the shores of the Euphrates
At a time when no one else was there
And fluttery pari roved the air
You sauntered along the riverbank
And weaved through the blooming trees
Like a fragrant spring breeze
Little did I know
That you
So elusive
So fleeting
Would be here to stay
But I
So resolute
So smitten
Would be the runaway
On the shores of the Euphrates
At a time before the fajr prayer
And when jinn brought nightmares
I slipped along the dirt-paved paths
And fled along that riverbank
I did not do so with ease
Little did you know
That he
So dreary
So undeserving
Would be the one you’d wed
And I
So ashamed
So regretful
Would race back to you
On the shores of the Euphrates
At a time when the village slept without a care
And crooked bandits laid out snares
You escaped the clutches of your husband
And ran steadfast into my arms
Like an eager autumn breeze
Little did we know
That we
So entwined
So blissful
Would be ripped apart
And him
So vengeful
So cowardly
Would silence the wind itself
On the shores of the Euphrates
At a time when Sufis twirled and flaired
But when he was in despair
He slaughtered us in our home
So we left to a realm beyond the riverbank
Like an escaped summer dream
Pari* = fairy
Fajr*= morning prayer
Jinn*= spirits, often demonic
Sufi*= Mystics who dance