If you listen carefully,

You’ll hear the cold sand whispering –

with gritty words that itch the ears

of men who wonder why –

leaders, who with feet of clay,

never think to seek the Sand,

to ask why hates and prejudice

survive the screaming years.

Tales as old as desert time,

written in the blood of men,

betrayed by those who seek

to rule through fear and ignorance.

 

Thus they reap, with fear and hate,

the bitter sorrows of lesser men,

who die for them in sandy hell

but never insist, “why?”

Instead, in crowds,

they stand enthralled,

as oratory flows from lips

that, smiling, promise victory,

then bow their head in sympathy

for those who die as martyrs.

 

While some who live in safe retreat

and sleep in comfort on a bed,

believe that, they, by God’s dictate,

serve a greater cause.

Then with words, they mesmerize

the simple and the prejudiced,

calling on Allah or God on high

to give them victory.

 

What blasphemy what vanity

to invoke these names,

in ranting speech,

to bolster evil thoughts and deeds

in the hearts of simple men.

 

David Garlick, Sidney, December, 2004