1. The lightening page flashed in the clouds,
Or a shooting star splitting the darkness,

2. Or the train's blaze flew to the hilltops
So the illusions were left behind.

3. It passed like a glance, the eye barely halted
On its extending shadow,

4. Or like the sleep talking of youth—the sober
And dreaming cannot grasp it.

5. The traveler cares not if the night thickens
And the footing is unsure,

6. He crosses the far and wide alone
Fear of darkness cannot deter him.

7. What melts the minds of the young at separation
Does not bend him on the day of departure,

8. Nor does what renders the poets speechless
Among the tents in the soft cooing of doves.

9. Roaming like the ghost, frightened by the arrow
And startled by the stray arrows.

10. So he storms ahead in peril and plunges
Where the fates hurl arrows from both sides.

11. O iron flowing over iron
Like the thick blood over blood.

12. You've wiped the lands far and wide
With two rolled up sleeves.

13. What's next to me is not next to you,
But next to me is lasting agony.

14. You know not passion, yet make us see
The sigh of those in passion's claws.

15. You know not the longing for reunion,
So what are these falling tears?

16. You're harsh, thick skinned, hardened,
Not caring if you sever lovers or attack the just.

17. Whether you gathered foes in a field
And mixed the blacks and whites.

18. I’ve seen in you something wondrous
Beyond the capacity of words.

19. You once sped at us while we stood guard
On the bridge, in the depth of night.

20. And a rider was plunging to the bridge
Between two columns of walking dead.

21. He passed like an arrow between sighs
Shot there by destiny's archer.

22. He fell in the water—and the water a torrent
Dodged by fate—and the river engulfing.

23. And there was a swimmer who dove in the water
With the zeal of the hawk above the doves.

24. He delved into the deep eddies resolutely
Not accustomed to withdrawal.

25. He disappeared and emerged carrying a body
He had freed from the grip of death.

26. He struggled with the waves, grappled with horror,
Tested like the tried and hardened spearhead.

27. And he turned back toward the river bank
Like the brave diver who's earned the prize.

28. The people stood shocked and shouted:
“This is one of the wonders of our day!

29. A rescue from the train, from the bridge,
From the river—Glorious is the Lord of Man!”

30. And a cry rose from a woman
Who emerged from the crowds.

31. She stood like an orator and called out:
“This is the reward of caring for orphans!”

32. She stretched out her palms and received him
Despite the protests of the critic.

33. The prayer of the tortured destitute is a shield
That wards off evil from the generous.

34. It is a war on the miser and the unjust
A sword over the neck of the wicked.

35. “This generous man has saved my honor
And protected me from the illnesses of misery.

36. He raised my child, raised me up, sustained me
With clothes, pearls, and food.

37. He is of a group who helped the downtrodden
And stood virtuously for God.

38. They established for goodness a house
That was the best place visited by all.

39. Filled with mercy, overflowing with affection
It is a house of peace for the wretched.

40. I visited it, misfortune trailing me,
The ray of hope ahead of me.

41. They did not ask who the girl was, but
Inquired there about my sorrows.

42. Then she collapsed over the drowning man
Comforting him with sweeter than wine.

43. She kissed his palms in thanks and shouted:
“The one with mighty hands is saved!

44. The benefactor, the generous one is saved
From death by charity and grace!”

45. We were awed by her, our souls filled
With the majesty of that moment.

46. We witnessed the mouth of loyalty appear
As it appeared in her smiling mouth.

47. We saw the image of manhood and righteousness
Materialize in that gallant figure.

48. We knew that alms are Allah's path
Before prayers, before fasting.

49. God singled it out in the Book with mention
It is a pillar of the pillars of Islam.

50. It began with certainty and remained
The best pillar of communal life.

51. Had those who hoarded the riches of the world
And craved collecting ruins paid their alms,

52. The destitute would not have begged, nor embarked
On committing sins and crimes,

53. Riding his nightmare, lost and straying,
Not caring for law or reins.

54. Asking about God's bequest to him,
Taking his livelihood to the extent of swords.

55. I did not take this platform to recite a poem
Poured into a mold of beautiful prosody.

56. But I stood up with a blazing soul
From the cups of worries, with a bleeding heart.

57. I have tasted sorrow and endured a life
Worse than the drinking of pigeons.

58. So I tossed in misery for a time
And shifted through immense adversities.

59. Anxiety pierced my heart
And sorrow crept into my bones.

60. So for this I stand begging people
For the downtrodden each year.

61. I have not tasted the cups of ease
Or slept safely between secure walls.