The armies of the Great Khan, swiftly as hawks, surrounded the ancient city of Bamyan. Destruction blackened the brow of the Khan because the city was slow to fall, and he was impatient for glory in lands far. But the way was found to the City, through the heart of the fair princess of Bamyan, who fell for a bold Tartar when she saw him. And she told the secret way to the city, which was beneath the mountains, over the streams. So, in the blind heat of her love she did betray, unknowingly, the well-guarded secret of countless generations gone by, and the lover pressed her to his breast, promising to make her queen over vast domains. The strong city fell through treachery; The enraged conqueror spilled blood freely. Then he ordered the deaths of many, including the Princess; she betrayed her fathers! The arm that had embraced her so tenderly, was raised to kill her, with a single sharp blow! Thus ended her young, un-bloomed love, under the hoofs of conquering horses.
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Yusuf Tahir has written numerous poems on diverse topics, his favorites being nature, the human condition, destiny, and desires. His poetry collection was published in 2003 by Pearls Book’em Publishers Atlanta under the title Just like a blooming rose.
