An’al Haq

Was it the Middle Ages
When you were killed
For speaking
Saying —

An’al Haq

But surely
It had nothing to do
With Middle Ages
Nor could you have imagined
Living in such Ages

What got you killed then
If not the Ages

Just the words

But how could words kill
Was it not the sword
That tore you
Into pieces

You weren’t the first
You knew
Nor the last
I know

Middle Ages
Haven’t passed yet

Your words
An’al Haq —

I now whisper —
Back
To you

Wondering —

As the ages roll on
Centuries and millennia —

What did you gain
What have I gained

What fate unfolds
For you, for me
For all who dare —
Inebriated
Fools and madmen
Drunk on truth —

Ants and insects —
Lost in moments
Forgetting our frailty
Howling, uttering
Infuriating claims
Maddened cries

Why did you speak
Why do I
Where are you now
Where am I

Where will all go
When dust settles
Sounds fade
Histories dissolve
Time turns —
Over and over

No gallows, no stakes
No blood, no fire
No heavens, no sky
No echo, no earth —
None of nothing

Nothing at all
Ever remains

Didn’t you know
Surely you did —
As I do now

Your words —
Temporary madness
Echoing
Through endless times
Fall on my ears

Why
Why speak
What matters
For whom

When all —
One way or another —
Is nothing

And yet —
Something stirs —

Tears —
Tears flow
Through my eyes

What’s left
O’ my friend —

What’s left

For you
For me

Birth — and all between
Words, blood
And tears —
And nothing

No one remains —

Only the void
Where words echo
Blood spills
Tears fall

None to call

Just bleeding
Weeping
Breaking
Dying —

O’ Lord —