Prayers

East

The death of the martyr, stigmata.

A whisper, a phrase. Ja mata.

 

The whites of the eyes. Heaven aims, ready.

Fire from the sky upward gaze steady

 

Nuclear futures burn brighter, shiro

The children left their silhouette, kuro

 

Cradle

Like diamonds in darkness; blood in my car

Cultural empire Allah Akbar

 

The lives of the saints, disaster and grace

Anxious eyes condemn behind a veiled face

 

Your treasure, values, resource, we mine

Shokran

Your treasure, values, resource, is mine

Shokran, jazeelan

 

West

Oh God what is freedom?

         Dear God what is death?

Grace, power, sin

         Absorbed in a breath.

 

Atmosphere, progress, social architects

Science and blind-faith the leap made perfect

 

We send out our money. We send out war.

We send out our loveless. We hope for more.

Amen.