Khansa
Khansa Poems
What have we done to you death
that you treat us so, with always another catch
one day a warrior
...
No day was sad as the day Sakhr
left me. Sweet and forever bitter.
...
I see time wasting my tribe, my father's sons,
I became tears that my weeping does not dry,
...
My long night refused to give me
the slightest sleep after the terrible news.
...
Sleepless I kept the night vigil,
Eyes khol-blackened ruts.
...
O my eyes, shed tears generously,
Will you not weep for Sakhr, the generous?
...
Time has gnawed at me, bit me and has cut me.
Time has harmed, wounded and injured me,
...
The leader of horses against others;
it was as though they were she-ghuls
...
My sons I carried you with pain and raised you with care
You have fallen today for the cause of Islam
...
Khansa Biography
Khansā (translated from Arabic as either 'gazelle' or 'short-nosed') was a 7th century Arabic poet. She was born and raised in the Najd region (the central region of modern-day Saudi Arabia). She was a contemporary of Muhammad, and eventually converted to Islam. In her time, the role of a female poet was to write elegies for the dead and perform them for the tribe in public oral competitions. Al-Khansa’ won respect and fame in these competitions with her elegies for her brothers, Ṣakhr and Muʿāwiyah, who had died in battle. She is the best known female poet in Arabic literature.)
The Best Poem Of Khansa
Lament For A Brother
What have we done to you death
that you treat us so, with always another catch
one day a warrior
the next a head of state
charmed by the loyal
you choose the best
iniquitous, unequalling death
I would not complain
if you were just
but you take the worthy
leaving fools for us.
Khansa Comments
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6/19/2025 6:59:32 AM # 1.0.0
