Shade

The farmer passed on

But the trees he planted lived on

Giving shade to those who don’t know his name

Feeding men and animals all in the same

Seed that he grew

Many years ago

The Spell

I used to trust the shield

I’d create around me

As she told me

سلام و قول من رب رحيم

I told myself those words

Over and over

As I passed a terrorist stop

As I passed the bombed car

As I closed my eyes to sleep

…

But now I’m safe

Away from it all

And I say those words again

Salamun wa qaulun min rabin raheem

“Peace from a merciful God”

And I hope to rest

Forgetting what I can not forget