a love letter to saddam

dear saddam,
i love you
i love you.

the river tigris
the kurdistan hills
the baghdad streets
the iraqi grains of sand,
i love
your love for them.

my dear saddam,
i love you.
i love
your smile.
i love
your tears.
i love
your courage.
you're sweet as dates!
i love you.
i love you.

my dear saddam,
you're the fragrance of flowers
in the hanging gardens
the sandstorm of courage
that rages during al-hijra-
the battle for freedom
in the garden of eden
you're its symbol!
you're its music!
the one who won after defeat!
i love you
whether you're alive, or dead
i love you
i love
your love
for the iraqi grains of sand.

tried to translate 'saddAmku prEmalEkha' written by sivasagar in 2003.