Rainforest In the Wilderness
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This is an Ode about Morocco. It is the westernmost country of the Arab world (line 1) and the 2nd only to Egypt in the Arab world to encourage friendly relations with Israel (line 3). The services of witches “sehirras” and fortune tellers “shuwaf” for males and “shuwaffa” for females are very popular in towns and villages (lines 5 & 6). Moroccan cities commonly have mosques with beautiful towers called minarets, market areas called bazaars, old medieval sections called medinas and old fortresses called Kasbalis (lines 7 & 8). The thuya wood is found only in the western foothills of the Atlas Mountains and now synonymous with wealth, being the first burled wood used for luxury dashboards in the Rolls Royce (lines 9 & 10). The Damascus Rose is known as the “Mother of all flowers” prompting the rose Industry in Morocco and the “Vallee des Roses” attracted French perfumers to cultivate the bushy Rosa Centifolia to create hundred of Kilometers of Rose bush hedges and 2 factories in the valley, distilling rose essence (lines 11 & 12). Very few citizens have private baths; since the ritual purification of the body is essential before muslims can perform prayers, many bath in public bath “hamman” which is segregated and along with the local “Zaouia” (saints “Shrine”) as an important place for women to socialize (lines 13 & 14). In Morocco, the Liver is traditionally associated with love, instead of the heart (lines 15). The “assembly of the dead” is a vast market square in Marrakech which may refer to the traditional display of the heads of criminals executed until the 19th century and the Tomb of John the Baptist is said to reside in the shrine of Sidi Yahiaben Younes in the city of Oujda (lines 17 & 18). “Aid al-kebir” is the biggest holiday in Morocco (line 19); Handling of food with the left hand and saying no to meat offered are impolite (lines 20 & 21). It is the only African country not a member of the AU (line 23) and first nation ever to sign a treaty with the united states in 1786 (lines 24 & 25).
Westernmost in its regional placement and traditional identity,
rare but indigenous is its Arabian flavour,
and a significant bridge of peace
between its brothers and their common enemy.
Displays an open tradition, appreciative of diabolism
as witches are integral part of its cultural settlements.
Typical of its nucleus is a combination of minarets structured worship centers,
Bazaars, sections called medinas and lasbali fortresses.
Its riches in wood stored up through the Atlas mountains
has milked its way from the dashboards of the Rolls Royce brand
and its possession of the “mother of all flowers”
has given the French creative experts a reason to fancy the world.
Public bath are greatly preferred to private ones
to flatter socialization in shrines of ritual purification.
Its rare ideology in liver displacing the heart in love’s symbolism
gives a perceived cosmic effect of its cute uniqueness.
The “assembly of the dead” and the Tomb of John the Baptist
are hugely important in its global historic relevance.
Just the way Aid al-kebir is held highly
so also is handling of food with the right hand
and as well in the acceptance of offered meat.
The glory of such a symbolic geography never stay silent
because the constant whispers of its honour,
despite not a continental union member
is evidenced by its official friendship to the world power
which is the first ever, among hundreds of many more.
Copyright © Funom Makama | Year Posted 2015
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