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
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