The Wail and the Hijab

A young girl, aged no more than ten,
recently orphaned in an unjust war,
on tiptoe, reaching up to a crevice 
to tuck in her crumbled prayer.

She had been taught that God by any name,
Allah or Elohim, would answer all prayers.

Hoping that God’s heavenly scales
would favour her unselfish plea
against those that may wish her kind ill,
she reached the crevice and tucked in her prayer.

No one noticed her hijab slip or heard the wall wail.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
August 22, 2026 at 12:37 AM
By the way, did I tell you I got to see the wailing wall back in '74?
Borg Avatar
August 22, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Did you also place a prayer note in the walls crevice? Has it been fulfilled?
Dietrich Avatar
August 22, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Wow. This one has so much impact. A fave for me.
Borg Avatar
August 22, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Sadly, Andrea, I don't think her prayer will be answered soon.
Wolf Avatar
August 17, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I really like the last line, Pascal. :) gw
Borg Avatar
August 18, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Thank you for your visit, Gershon.
Smith  Avatar
August 16, 2026 at 11:13 PM
I hope her prayer is heard.❤️
Borg Avatar
August 17, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Justice comes in many guises.
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