the desertification of our planet approaches slowly
but like our own death
it comes steadily and with promise
yet wise men and women
holy souls who all cry faith
hang on to their corners
at opposite ends of the old city
living together but in hatred
preaching the word of god
praying at a wall behind which
he supposedly sits
all carrying their different symbols
like soccer fans running through city streets
shouting which house of god they belong to
who is this god you speak of
who can be contained in a place
sitting on a throne
watching misery and pain from a distance
viewing your bloodshed as a sign of your devotion
your egos riding humanity bareback
you ask for faith that does not question your integrity
or the meaning of your words
who is this god so empty
whose compassion can be kept among layers of bricks
displeased with anything but blind certitude
i denounce this god you’ve all created
i denounce this god you’ve all created
i go to the sea for my pilgrimage
kneeling at a volcano’s peek
to whisper words that may trickle down to the core
for the stars at night hum
that none can truly own this land
july 2, 2006
Bio:
Baharak Sedigh was born in Tehran, Iran, where she lived until the age of 8, at which time she moved to Paris with her family. She then moved to the United States during her teenage years, eventually settling in Houston. Currently she lives in San Diego, California, where she has lived for the last 5 years.
