A famed Iraqi poet who used his art to call for healing and unity in his home country lost his life in the Monday bombing of the al-Mansour hotel in Baghdad.

The tragedy of Rahim al-Maliki's death imbues a new poignancy and power to the words he wrote in life.

"If you do not love Iraq

Then do not pray with me

You, Iraq, the land of well-being

When you stand tall, we stand tall

They throw stones at your windows

But your glass has destroyed their stones."