Al-Riyash: A Different Path — An Iraqi Novel

A life I live, ruled by coldness Glances surround me; I face them with steadfastness Lavish glances... Eyes adrift, in love, exploitative, aloof! A life of luxury, a voice raised loud Made me taste a life of hardship Until I realized that wealth is not everything in life Until I met a soul of precious meaning He captivated my eyes and pulled me from my wretched life In him, I saw life itself He mended the remains and became my solace at every moment In his steadfastness, he held captive both heart and mind But resistance and discord are the roots of ruin A vast gulf and barriers lie between the two Opposites bound together by a steadfast love Those closest to them strive to destroy it, and leave them living in anguish But they stood firm against them, free and in love So what is their fate, and how will the story end? Will they stand firm and triumph in this steadfast love? Or surrender and live in the depths of anguish?