Material Qustions

Poem by Ray Muna, Artwork by Suzanne Muna

April 2004
11” x 13”
Silk, thread, newspaper and acrylic paint on board.

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Material Questions

by Ray Muna (2004)

Sometimes
if the heat was intolerable
and we felt inclined
we'd visit the mosque.
That we're not believers didn't matter.
Veiled and thus invisible
our presence caused no comment or offence.

Drawn as always to the heart of the shrine
we'd gaze at the saints tomb
it's golden trellis
interwoven with fragments of green ribbon
tied on by pilgrims as prayers of supplication
asking for sons, good health and money
convinced that their wishes would at least be heard.

Last night, an old man local to that mosque
spoke to the camera
told how the soldier had burst in
killed his son and grandson
shot him in the leg repeatedly
then walked away.

Upon request he showed the crew his scars
and in the act revealed a length of frayed green fabric
wound around his thigh.
He wondered then, enmeshed in all that pain,
does he carry on from habit,
or does he still believe?

And what about the soldier?