the four quarters of the old city (poetry)

By Baharak Sedigh

Summer 2007 | ArteZine

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.

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