Noor’s Song
His heart sings with each song of Noor
until the day she loses her voice.
Six-year-old with no speech only mime
at a time before endoscopes reach Karbala.
Noor skips, plays with her dolls as before
whispers unlettered air.
Her parents seek refuge in the Lord.
Had Evil Eye befallen their only child?
They pray, give charity, hang up turquoise eyes.
Hands and sandals around doors.
They visit holy shrines, recite litanies, hoping
God might accept prayers through His friends.
They kiss walls and doors of each sacred place
tie green satin, rub knots and wipe bars.
With each mausoleum visit
prayers are more desperate.
Two whole years until her parents accept Noor’s Fate.
It is as it must be. Alhamdulillah in all our states.
The burden of hope lifts
and they sleep well that night.
Fulfil the unkept oath says the man in the green turban.
A family outing to Sayyid Mohammed’s shrine in Balad.
Best abaya, Um Noor holds Noor’s right hand
they approach the tomb.
On the way home the car hits a ditch.
Abu Noor pained to his aorta
as he hears Noor cough in the back.
She gasps, leans forward to breathe,
shrieks words sweet as song
Mama! Mama! Look! A watermelon seed!
Abeer Ameer’s poems have appeared widely in journals including The Rialto, The Poetry Review, Magma, Atrium, Acumen, and Poetry Wales. Her debut poetry collection, Inhale/Exile (Seren 2021) was shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year in 2022.