A Drop from the Well

This poem honors Ali bin Abi Talib by emphasizing his role in the washing and burial of Prophet Muhammad.

This poem is a third installment of the Fatima's Armor series. The common thread holding the poems together is the armor given by Ali as a mahr to Fatima, in accordance with the Prophet's directive.

Chapter 1, the Beloved Family, focuses on the Prophet's grandsons, al-Hasan and al-Husayn. It was published in January 2023.

Chapter 2, The Second Ascent, focuses on his daughter, Fatima. It was published in February 2023.

This Chapter 3, A Drop from the Well, focuses on the role of his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, in the burial of the Prophet.

If only I were a drop of water from the well of Ghars, or the well of Arees, or a drop of rain watering the well, so I could touch him or be spilt on the floor underneath.

And if I were from the well of Arees but was not chosen to wash his skin, and was left behind in chagrin, at least I would have had the hope to touch his ring as it was dropped, along with hope, therein.

Blessed are the hands that poured it over a body so pure that the water was cleansed.

Seven buckets he measured- one for each heaven ascended.

He added tears straight from the purest well and clothed him with a garment without sleeves.

Arms are for those of this world; wings for those soaring above.

How many of us are deceived into thinking the shrouds we wear, lifeless, are clothes?

Clothes are for those whose hearts beat audibly with love.

As if the one raised while being lowered was heard saying:

"A reward from you I have never asked! Only the affection due to kin."

Who are the people closest to you?

The ones whose hands carry you when you're born, or the ones whose hand you hold when you're down?

Two weighty matters we were left with; hang on to both to never stray.

The sturdy cable and the other weight.

No prayers are valid without their mention; no salutations omitting them are complete.

Gates of fortresses his arms lifted; yet, no task was weightier, no sadness deeper, than turning the noble face

from the grave towards the cradle of revelation.

Medina's dirt filling the nostrils, the scent of camphor adorning the heat.

Let his death breathe life into your body. Allow his legacy to transform your grief!

He faced a changed world with the same valor that he displayed wearing- his gift to his beloved- the armor.