Afsheen's Father Poem by Saqib Hussain, author of Contemplate and Sweet Bird

My child, my love, dear Afsheen, all is quiet now since you’ve gone
Your lovely smile is no more, and me smiling seems so wrong
I would love to watch you smile, as your mother combed your hair
You seemed so very happy, and so free of any care

Even though you were so small, you made our hearts grow so big
The more love we gave to you, the more we wanted to give
All of us were devoted, and one thing I can’t forget
When your mother looked at you, a secret which had been kept
Revealed itself: that our love paternal and maternal
Was joined with compassion, and that made it so eternal

Gunfire, shouting, carnage, death
Yes, that sudden, nothing left

How can I describe to you, how can I explain my grief
I find it so hard to smile, this pain runs so very deep
In the middle of the night, when your mother lies awake
Remembering you Afsheen, crying, crying, my heart breaks
Those who look with scorn on lives, shall never ever find rest
Hate hangs heavy on the soul, and arrogance never blessed

Just as the sea and shore meet, we will also gently greet
The sun and moon give their light, you brighten our days and nights

Now and forever – your father

Taken from my book 'Sweet Bird' by Saqib Hussain, available for free download from https: //www.smashwords.com/books/view/566363