My Tear Drops
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A Poem by
Shakeel Syed
My Tear Drops
shakeel syed - september eleven - two thousand eleven
My tears are more than a drop - they are an ocean pregnant with silent sorrows
In it are my tears for the thousands on the morning of september eleven1
Those who were dressed in slacks and shorts, and
Those who were running or being run in the strollers
... full of colors and cheers were they.
They were each on their own way but apart from one another, and yet ...
Every one of them were one created by the same One
My tears are more than a drop - they are an ocean pregnant with silent sorrows
In it are my tears for the millions since october seven2
Those who were shirtless and in jilbabs3
Those who were plowing their fields and playing with their children
... full of life and love were they.
They were each on their own way but apart from one another, and yet ...
Every one of them were one created by the same One
My tears are more than a drop - they are an ocean pregnant with silent sorrows
In it are my tears for tens of thousands since march nineteen4
Those who were shoeless and in burqas5
Those who were idling around the corner and learning in madrassat6
... full of hope and happiness were they.
They were each on their own way but apart from one another, and yet ...
Every one of them were one created by the same One
My tears are more than a drop - they are an ocean pregnant with silent sorrows
In it are my tears for the hundreds since january eleven7
Those who were innocent fathers and carefree sons
Those who were simply striving and shyly singing
... full of mercy and mischief were they
My tears are more than a drop - they are an ocean pregnant with silent sorrows
My tears are for all and not for some
My sorrow is same for the New Yorkers, the Baghdadis and the Kabulis
My grief is equal for the Washingtonians and the West Bankers
My love is for all and not only for some
My tears are more than a drop - they are an ocean pregnant with silent sorrows
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1 The infamous terrorist attack (9.11.2001)
2 U.S. invasion on Iraq (10.7.2001)
3 Head to toe skirt that Arab women wear
4 U.S. invasion on Afghanistan (3.17.2003)
5 The south Asian version of Arab women's attire
6 Literally - translated as a school
7 First batch of detainees brought into Guantanamo (1.11.2002)
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Shakeel Syed is the executive director of Islamic Shura Council of Southern California. More of his reflections can be read on his blog.
I came across your 'My Tear Drops' by chance, by Allah's will. Reading through it, I totally agree that there are other millions more have the same feeling like you. Your tears are ours too.
Thank you for the beautiful expressions. Let our tears and duas go side by side till generations to come.
Thank you.