Tuesday, August 11, 2009

It is profound & pathetic at the same time." - Shakeel

The Dome of the Rock
rising gold as sunrise
out of the desert,
mosaiced layers

(one on top of the other)

jewel tones almost
too rich for my eyes
cultural confectionary with undertones of

riot gear and barbed wire

Nearby, men ululate glottally,
Wailing at the Wall,
Kneeling & bowing & crying

Many want to tear this place down for
new & ancient construction.

I guess it’s none of my business, really.

From here I see the Garden
of Gethsemane and birds fly
unfazed by soldiers lurking
in the corner (probably

wondering what happened to all the trees.)


1 comment:

  1. Yes, yes, yes. As it is, no poetic trimmings. Thank you.
    It's as much your business as the birds'.

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