Truth, my beloved!
truth, my beloved!
let us be together
like roses of dream
and thorns of reality
let us sit together
by the fireplace of life
and throw perception
into flames, so avid
and blacken the body
with ashes of verity
for the grace of soul
when the sun is red
over desert of greed
and sand is burning
shall we walk together
barefoot and fearless
slow but steady
to oasis of justice
When moon is full
in the darkness of night
on the bank of past
and pebbles of history
are sharp and cruel
shall we walk together
barefoot and fearless
till prejudice bleeds
from feet, from mind
and arrogance is pale
Let them throw stones
let them call me heretic
Let the hands be nailed
and the body be burnt
when they offer hemlock
let me drink it slowly
let the thirst be quenched
in search of meaning
for the purpose of being
truth, my beloved
let us be together
like roses of dream
and thorns of reality
Shariq Ali
30/10/12