Fardi Wa Nafli Poem by Ameen Rihani

'Here she is : O take her not away so soon !
Spare her youth — the fatal cup from her with-
hold !
Let her groan within my arms in life's fore-
noon
Let me still my soul within her eyes unfold.'
God of Love ! my faith in thee is not yet gray :
Grant that she may walk again,
Free from suffering and pain —
Give her life to see the altar's light one day.
In the night, before the day that never came.
On the way with poppies and gardenias
strewn.
With her music and her torch's holy flame,
She was struck and never since saw sun or
moon.
God of Light ! refuse her not another ray :
Her bridal garment joins with me
In beseeching, begging thee —
Give her life to see the altar's light one day.
All the sorrow earth contains I can support,
All the agony and pain I can endure ;
Years of misery will seem surprising short,
If to me thou leav'st her, though without a
cure.
All m}' dreams before thy throne, O God, I slay ;
These my offerings let be,
These my sacrifice to thee —
Give her life to see the altar's light one day.
''Hurry here! O get the doctors — call the
nurse —
Call the priest — be quick — some more digit-
aline —
He is here, alas ! before you all — a hearse.'
Death has passed us by ; take up the violin !
To Thy heart my music fain would find its way ;
Every sound Thy grace would earn ;
Let it not as sad return —
Give her life to sec the altar's light one day.
Every wound and every sigh and groan and
tear,
Every drop of Saada's melting flesh and hope
Now ascend, wrapt in this music, pale and
blear —
Around Thy throne, in gyves of pain, they
blindly grope.
What remains, what's gone of her before Thee
lay :
Faith and Doubt are at Thy door —
Mother, brother, pray, implore —
Give her life to see the altar's light one dav.