how do you explain a head 
with puffy brains, one which coil itself

around flakes of purple linen
—of confusion, of angst?

when I was a child, I was given a Koran by father
on my right hand & education on the left,

my hair was shaved, and the umbilical cord 
that accompanied me to this earth they said God

created. Forgive me, but I’m getting choked
by the abstract element in my left hand.

every time I check up my windowsills or 
clink on my door knobs —articles fall on me.

of metaphysics, atheism, philosophy.
weighs of my existence dampen my height

& suppress my breath, as if choked by the
clouds that tread on the sky with Aladdin’s mat.

I still remember, of how father told me of 
the words of the Koran, & the rabbit that shouldn’t

burrow through my faith. He said of 
a burning furnace, & scalding water.

& I also remembered him, telling me 
my left hand will rub my eyes of ignorance.

so, when I read of —
I don’t know which stream to glide again.

december 7th, 2021