The Last Letter Poem by Showkat Ahmad Wani

To this great nation, to its noble folk,
To all of humankind, I speak these words.
They gave no chance for us to plead our cause,
But cast their judgment, cruel and unexplained,
By will of those who came to take our land,
Yet brought no proof, no witness to the charge,
Demanding we confess a crime undone,
And take upon our lips their false decree.
They read the sentence of our final breath.

O brother! Thou whose heart is vast and pure,
Embracing all without a thought of hate,
Thou know'st thy brother well, thy leader true,
Who never bowed before a tyrant's will,
But stood as sword and banner to the end.
Is this not how a leader ought to stand?
A son, a brother, proud against the foe?

Here now, I give my soul to God alone.
If He so wills, He'll raise it to the just,
Among the martyrs in eternal peace,
Or He may yet delay that hour to come.
So let us wait, and trust in Him alone
Against the nations ruled by cruel hands.

O thou, the sign of love and brotherhood,
I bid thee cast out hatred from thy heart.
For hate will blind thee, close the doors of thought,
And leave no space for mercy or for truth.
Let those who seek repentance be forgiven,
Be they of us or from the stranger's land.

Farewell, my own, yet know that faith prevails.
God never fails the steadfast and the true.
God's name is great! His justice ever stands!
Long live our land, our people brave and strong!
Long live Iraq, its spirit never bowed!
Long live our brothers in the holy fight!
(Saddam Hussein, Prez and Chief of the Iraqi Mujahid Armed Fores)
30/12/2006