For ‘Karim
“We used to have peace, but now we have only war.”—Halima
I will not speak of the dead
for that is another matter.
I will not speak of those
driven out of their homes
to find shelter in a camp
fenced with strings.
I will not speak of those
raped at dawn. Or of children
shot in the head.
I will not speak of them.
I will not speak of the woman,
round and heavy, like me,
who will give birth to a child she’ll be ashamed to name.
Neither will I speak of
a dozen other women, like her,
and a village which will beget bastards.
I will not speak of the slash—deep in my thigh,
made by a knife: a brand of ownership,
the mark of a slave.
No; on such matters I’ll be silent.
Rather, I’ll speak of warm fires. Of oases, dates,
and night songs.
I’ll speak of things that once were.
Categories:
halima, 12th grade, 8th grade,
Form: Free verse
9 babies for Halima Cisse
Are not guaranteed to bring bliss
With nine to feed
No time to breed
A Mothers' Day she'll never miss!
Categories:
halima, mothers day,
Form: Limerick
To My daughters Loubabatoul Koubra, Halima Saadiya and Maryam Jamilah
A knock on the door
Shouts from the inside
All the three running
To swoon over my knees
Laughing my lovely
Daughters
The gate to paradise
The gift from
The Messenger,
My lifelong model.
Categories:
halima, allah, blessing, love, my
Form: Free verse