the muezzin’s call to prayer
on my left
the church bells tolling
on my right
and I in the middle
not where I started out
to be
prayer
a daily devotion
a rug is laid
on this bare floor
and Süleyman prays
a daily devotion
in deed
following thought
5:15am, Moda, Istanbul
there it is
the call to prayer
and being up
as usual
I answer
prayer: Moda, July 1st, 2018
the İman calls
five times a day
and a dog
somewhere on the streets
answers
in almost harmony
two worlds
meet
in Moda
and joy swells
in my heart
for both
on Easter Sunday in Aliağa, 2018
light a candle
today tonight every night
a ritual I learned
from my grandmother
and my Aunt Mary
who told me
to always light a candle
for those who have gone before
for those still here
every time I visit a church
and so I do
today tonight every night
here in the church
of my making
for those gone before
for those still here
on this day
of resurrection
amen
Anna kneels
as if in prayer
Anna kneels
a naked supplicant
seeking grace
in the morning light
a silent prayer
the rhythm
of breath
in out in out
a silent prayer
here I am
oh God
here I am
peace
fills the air
outside inside
you
from a line by Sung Po-jen
my voice hoarse
my throat dry
trying to reach
heaven’s ear
amid all the chatter
in the air
6:15am, Maltepe, Istanbul
the calls
of the gulls
as they fly
past the balcony
another type
of morning prayer
toward morning
the dogs howl
a chorus
of discontent
finally silenced
by the call
to prayer