Al-'Awasim

In ancient times, so long ago, A frontier zone began to grow. The Muslims and Byzantines, side by side, In Al-ʿAwāṣim, their borders did collide. With fortifications strong and grand, The Muslims protected their precious land. Al-thughūr, the strongholds in a chain, Kept their enemies at bay, no pain. In Cilicia, Syria, and Mesopotamia too, The frontier zone expanded, it grew. Al-ʿawāṣim proper, the rear so secure, With defenses strong, they could endure. On the Byzantine side, they did the same, Kleisourai districts, a similar aim. Akritai border guards, brave and bold, Protecting their lands, as they were told. Through the ages, the term survived, Thughūr and ʿawāṣim, they were revived. By the Egyptian Mamluks, they were embraced, In the 14th century, their glory replaced. Random page: Kwa-Thandeka