Silent Voices II, by Scharjeel Sarfaraz. Image courtesy of ArtChowk Gallery
Let us say that what remains at the bottom of a coffee cup holds a promise for tomorrow
and let us say that dates are to be eaten in odd numbers of one, three, or five
and let us say that in the north a wall develops like a mountain chain
and let us say that one hundred and thirty shells will fall on Monday
and let us say that chewing cloves will numb the gums and mouth
and let us say that in the south innumerable villages disappear
and let us say that to wear black is to wear the color of shade
and let us say that the tamarisk will flourish even in drought
and let us say that water should be drunk while seated
and let us say that honey ginger, cardamom green
and let us say that a woman alone welcomes hurt
and let us say that the Red Sea will remember
and let us say that there is no truth but truth
and let us say that sage or anise could heal
and let us say that the taste of rose water
and let us say that time will move faster
and let us say that there is no peace
and let us say that let us say
and let us say that
and let us say we must not speak such things
~ Tara Ballard
Tara Ballard is from Alaska. She and her husband live in the Middle East where they teach English literature to wonderful high school students. Her poems have been published in The Southampton Review, Salamander, One, HEArt Online, and other literary magazines.
