2021, be good
We all
Welcome you
With trembling arms
Hope, our weapon.
2021, be good
We all
Welcome you
With trembling arms
Hope, our weapon.
You’ll definitely
Not be missed
You sad, mad beast
Good riddance,
Fuck off.
Illustration by SAMA SAMI
Ramadan
The Holy Month
Ablutions
Before the song of sparrows
In the nick of time
Sohour + dawn prayer
Sunrise to sunset
Fossicking the fridge
Watching the wristwatch
The scent of scripture
Dusk
Call to prayer
Drowned by mum’s dish
Iftar
The breaking of the fast
Almost breaking the dinner table
Making a wish:
“God, please end poverty.”
Dates
Eating them, not going on them
Prayer, over and over
For those in need
Remembering
Those in need
The felicity of charity
The hues of gratitude
The rarity of restraint
For all we need
Is God’s colours
His Mercy
And them dates.
Original Artwork by Mariam Sawires
Yet, I am here.
All because of the moments I cannot remember.
original artwork by Mariam Sawires
The Master ordered
And the Generals gave salute
And weary and worn-out men
Danced to the flute
They strapped their green cotton-armour
And funeral-black leather boots
Brides back home awaited their grooms
To walk them down the aisle in genteel charcoal suits
But mothers,
Mistresses of intuition
Saved money
And bought coffins.
Osamah Sami أسامه سامي 