Notes About The Poem
This poem is written from the unique perspective of a women in an extremist Muslim family. She has already lost one family member to the hatred and only wants peace. But the men in her life continue the hatred and it ends up destroying her life as well. 

Ashes To Ashes

From ashes
she rises, 
absolving
cleansing, 
face, hands, feet.
Four months, 
Ten days, 
She mourns.
She weeps.

She clothes herself now
in an adornment of white
bowing privately, 
praying fervently, 
as bitter fumes
of acetone
seep beneath the door.

Her source is god.
Her destination is god.
She pleads with god now
for peace
As men mix and pour
A holocaust
Just outside her door.

Her sisters wail.
They bathe her lifeless arms
And shroud her
as Iris Albicans- 
Exotic, 
Fragile, 
Pure.

The imam, he stands, 
Praying silently
As men convey her
towards Mecca.
From ashes to ashes
And dust to dust.
From ashes to ashes
And dust to dust.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Promise Avatar
December 10, 2017 at 9:55 PM
Good description of the memory of a Loved one that passed on. Hope you heal with time. Sorry for your loss. Take care. RP.
A   Avatar
May 11, 2013 at 9:34 PM
Rachel :-) Congratulations with having your poem Featured this week. Have yourself a wonderful and lovely Mother's Day. Lots of Luv & Hugs *Linda"
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
May 5, 2013 at 7:49 PM
Different faiths hopefully will one day unite ending the extremism that exists today.
Harrington Avatar
January 24, 2013 at 1:29 PM
To echo Carol: yes, very touching and sad...well done. Tanya
Eastman Avatar
January 20, 2013 at 3:18 PM
Touching... and sad...
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