A Breeze that Explains

Walking through Beacon Street,
In Boston, Massachusetts,
A breeze from nowhere
Touches my face.

It is that time,
I understand.
My uncle from Bosnia
Must be sending me
A beautiful rug
Bukhara style.

It is that time
To get a prayer cap.
White definitely,
Size extra large.

O my haminne!
O my anneanne!
O my babaanne!
O my grandmothers,
With angle face!

There is no passing away,
Now I understand.

The chill of ablution water,
The softness of the prayer rug,
My resilience, my resolve, my confidence.
Inna ateyna kelkevser!
These are your prayers.

Including this breeze
Touching my face.

Adnan Adam Onart
Boston MA, 1996