In sapphire skies two ravens fly,
Their feathers red like blood new shed,
And utter not a single cry
For each holds secrets in his head
That he must guard for those they serve
With ever-silent wings outspread.
The place the wheeling birds observe
Has verdant fields of fruit and flower
Surrounded by the highway’s curve
And guarded by a crimson tower
That rises high above the land,
A symbol of the Kingdom’s power
As wielded by a Baron’s hand:
A palm in peace, a fist in war,
But always firmly in command.
The tower to the sky does soar,
But no one hand built it alone
For many hearts beat at its core
And those who sit upon its throne –
The short, the tall, the fierce, the bright –
Have dedicated every stone
To those who kindle honor’s light
And with their passion feed the fire
That sees them through the darkest night.
Thus does the Barony aspire
To raise the South Downs ever higher.

This is a poem in terza rima dedicated to the Barony of the South Downs, on the occasion of the investiture of Jadi Fatima and Hajji Turahan, September 18, 2010.

On the day you were born and your cries rang out clear
Your family stood round and said “you belong here.”

As a child you were quick with a question and quip;
Every book that you opened read “you belong here.”

Before long you were dancing with fire in your feet
And your heart soon informed your head: “you belong here.”

Though your birthplace burned bright in the hearth of your heart
The wide world called with arms outspread, “you belong here.”

A journey of many long miles in the west
Taught you anywhere your feet led, you belong here.

Your beloved you found in the wild lands beyond
And you knew on the day you wed, you belong here.

You returned to your home both to teach and to serve
Knowing with every homeward tread, you belong here.

Now the people have spoken and asked you to lead
And with bright pearls upon your head, you belong here.

This is a ghazal written for the occasion of Mistress Jadi Fatima al-Ishfahani al-Samarkandiyya’s investiture as Baroness of the South Downs, September 18, 2010.