Al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah, Al-Sham, Levant
The same sun that soared once, the same azaan’s chant
Now sank in gore, never to rise, in blessed land of sharia
Why bloodbath sells, in creed’s disguise, why bleeds my Syria?

Neither Shia, was this man before, nor Sunni, that man’s obsession
One Islam made their brotherhood, sharia’s sacred passion
Why wander now in streets astray, two shadows of hysteria
Two azaans, yet one namaaz, to pray, why bleeds my Syria?

The land that reared, a million dreams, and reaped their fruits of labor
Is baptized now in blood of them, a betrayed, outraged mother
And heavens splintered to smithereens, like spent splendor of Palmyra
In dust dissolved, those kings and queens, why bleeds my Syria?

Yet Muhammad bears Ali’s tears, in Idlib’s heart, hate thoroughbred
Two brothers estranged, by the love of God, on streets lies, lost love dead!
Why Dimashq destined, to bleed forever, in the name of Sunni and Shia?
Won’t Allah’s yard, yield panacea, why bleeds my Syria?

© 2016 Vikas Chandra