For ever glorious, for ever holy, <br />Your sacred beaches, Shat-el-Arab, <br />Are bathed in gore, the blood of fighters <br />Of many races, and diverse colours. <br />Strewn on these sands lie the bones of Arab, <br />Egyptian and Turk and Greek and Bedouin, <br />Also of women, bold and daring, <br />Who sobbed as they battled, reckless of danger. <br />The surging waters of the roaring Tigris <br />Bring you the blood they shed at Amara; <br />And the Euphrates thunders daily <br />Warnings to those whose hearts are evil. <br />You the nurse of the brave and the fearless <br />Who'd rather die than bow to a master, <br />These beaches ring with the voice of Ali <br />From a distant past, now dim and shrouded. <br />The crimson flame-like roses of Basra <br />Are radiant emblems of war and glory; <br />They flourish on soil where heads have tumbled <br />Like fruit from the date-palm in arid deserts. <br />We met by chance, but here are my greetings - <br />Homage sincere from a fellow bondsman - <br />To the sacred beaches of Shat-el-Arab, <br />For ever glorious, for every holy. <br /> <br />[Translation: Syed Sajjad Husain]<br /><br />Kazi Nazrul Islam<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/shat-il-arab/
