September 11, 2006

September "El (now we can get) Even"

Where is the war but in your own hearts?
And who are those targets that you fill with darts?

One man's errors do not represent a Nation's,
And spreading hate for revenge is no justification.

A man's dark side is no darker than the darkest in you,
Misplaced hate will only bring out his hate anew.

Set an example for generations to come,
Hate breeds hate, even more in some.

We are only liable for the things that we do,
Just like I'm not liable for the wrong in you.

Explain to the child that has no knowledge of hate,
That because of one man she will meet with her fate.

An eye for an eye, and a life for a life?
Where's the logic in vengeance for strife?

The world has a way of giving back your contribution,
Once and for all stop the emotional pollution.

9 comments:

BuJ said...

Powerful words, and much needed in these times.
I feel these last 5 years have done NOTHING to make the situation better between the West and Muslims. There is still fear and hate etc..

No one has taken a step back and said enough is enough.

The title is the best bit of this post.. very smart!

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Yes little has changed. And we also still have this notion of teh west vs. Muslims. We muslims in the west are westerners too. But our own community doesnt embrace it and the "others" do not welcome it.

This poem is old, went by the title of "Emotional Pollution" but for the occasion I changed the heading. I wrote this poem 5 years ago after Sept. 11.

* said...

I so agree with Buj.
Its a powerful piece and the title is ironic.
I would say more but given my current state of mind Ill just latch on to Buj.

Boo! said...

Powerful words there SS. The title is as amazing as the poem itself.

I wish the gap would close between 'the Muslims' and 'the West' (whatever definition you apply to these), but I don't know when it can happen.

To be honest, if I don't get checked more than others at an airport, I feel just a little scared of the flight since other 'brown' ppl are not going through 'extra' checks either. I'm not sure if I've been brainwashed by the tv, but sadly enough, it happens.

If I have that prejudice, how can I expect others not to.

Umar said...

We were just talking about something similar to this in my "Muslim Diasporas in the West" class last night.

On another note, I saw this message outside a church on my way to school:
If it were an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, the whole world would be blind and toothless.

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Kaya I know how you feel.

Boo, I can totally relate. When I went to Rome sometime back, Bin L had just issued another threat letter saying italy was next. I was sooo paranoid, looking at everyone with a "certain look". It is mad. At times like that I become scared of myself.

Umar, fantastic quote!

Boo! said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Boo! said...

That last comment was left in haste... guess I got caught up in the media frenzy as well. I do want to go through the text of the speech he made to get the context right first... I think I'll delete that after I write this one.

As for efforts to bridge 'the gap', I found a valiant one online today. Check out my latest blog entry if you find time, and let me know your thoughts :)

tc.

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

:) well Boo I have been wanting to blog about it as well, but there has been much going on in my life lately to not wanna go there right now.

I'll check out your blog for sure. Hope you are well and all.