Afghanistan Contest

Machine guns tattoo the air with fire; reports ululate down the runway too late for the people who cling to the plane — the pavement stings; Allah sings from the curls of Persia’s towers. Kabul, Kabul, Kabul, where the Taliban will rule, where occidents left the lambs to wolves, and Quran will be taught as cruel, mercy burned like offal. Women will hide in hijab, a narrow escape into the niqab, the Likeness of God veiled and macabre for no one can see Her face except shadows, husbands, or shame. Sept 5, 2021 Afghanistan poetry contest Sponsor: the Kai Michael Nuemann