United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan- Goodbye To A Desert King - An Eulogy. Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

Greatness of unity, solidarity and charity,
all in His hands He held so majestically;
royalty, nobility and kindness
always in His heart He carried silently;
and while life kept moving its wings with time
the 'chapter of rest' scribbled new pages of rhyme:
where as one will remember Him for his kindness,
the other will remember Him for His prominence.
And the world will speak of Him for His simplicity
as men who are born to be kings and rulers,
as men who hold the reins and hoist their own grace
are men who are truly victorious and full of humility.
Yes, one of them was He, who lived there
amidst those dunes in those palaces of grandeur
where the winds kept blowing carrying sand
and sometimes sandstorms in His eyes
yet His Highness stood firmly
and braved each storm, each hardship with dignity
thus affirming harmony and friendship
among the rulers of the seven Emirates.
So warm and cordial were His inter-actions
with His brothers of His faith
that the progress and the unity of the Emirates
was His main theme and emphasis;
and as He lived He shared His generosity
with his own countrymen - the nationals,
besides with the expatriate community
and with people from all over the world
whether rich or poor,
whether educated or laborers,
yet he ventured to share with them
the altitudes of His eminence and abundance
thinking they deserved His kindness recurrently.
But as the days of vivacity and greatness
start to melt under the sun, over those long weary years,
it is the love and respect that is left back
that makes the hearts of others stronger;
and though no king nor knight can stop
the right of tears and grief that death imposes;
His Highness will walk along those dunes
where heaven and earth will meet
and He will secure his own place of peace
as the reward of heaven awaits
those who have been compassionate
and benevolent to those in need.
Hail O' Shaikh Khalifa, Hail,
may Thy Soul rest serenely
and may you attain all the solace You seek
as hours of sorrow shall pass
but Your memories will linger on
and Your endeavors will reveal your dedication
to Your country and Your fraternity.