In the lull, the afternoon sun warms
the linseed field. The flowers are quiet,
their bright subdued in the green
while the mind wanders
to the emerald mosque upon the hill,
built around a flowing spring,
the easy absolutions and ablutions
in that mosque where the spring water
has been let loose to meander
over marble courtyards and inner chambers,
across the geometric, green-tiled floor that
cools the heels of the faithful.
Copyright Credit: Raza Ali Hasan, “The Emerald Mosque on the Hill” from Grieving Shias (Sheep Meadow Press, 2006). Copyright © 2006 by Raza Ali Hasan. Used with the permission of the author.`
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