Typewriter Rodeo: Ramadan In Texas

Each week, the Standard reaches out to Austin’s Typewriter Rodeo for a custom poem on Texas topics.

By David FruchterJune 8, 2018 11:27 am,

Ramadan in Texas
(with love & gratitude to Muna Hussaini)

jummah mubarak, my day-fasting friends
in this month upon which our whole year depends

we’ll gather together to feast in the dark
both at night after prayers, and before
day’s first spark

yes it’s about fasting, but also about eating
the rhythm of each day and night,
like a heart beating

that first date of iftar, what could be more sweet
and not just because it’s the first thing we eat

but tradition, community, and mindfulness too
an awareness we bring to each thing that we do

in this spiritual bonus month, our deeds magnified
in the books where our angels therein do inscribe

our good works and bad – now’s the time to catch up!
it’s not just the emptiness of plate and cup

but to make of ourselves vessels as clean and pure
(though it’s not always easy, i’ll say that for sure)

no anger, no gossip – we won’t bite the back
we’ll try to be grateful in self-imposed lack

if Hakeem could win the playoffs in the midst of his fast
then i can at least wait until the last ray has passed

though in late afternoon i get Ramadan brain
tell me, why did i come in the living room again?

i can’t find my keys, but my mind’s on higher things
like how over some distant courtyard,
the call to prayer rings

linking us together, from the west out to the east
as we all walk side-by-side
down the path of peace

Ramadan mubarak, from the Typewriter Rodeo

Produced by Laura Rice.