1
The praying never ends.
Beseeching words
mouthed in countless tongues
implore the gods,
praying for this,
praying for that.
The praying never ends.
They tell me it’s religion,
tradition,
culture,
belief.
They tell me I need to believe.
They tell me that they pray for me.
Their praying never ends.
Across all creeds,
beyond all faiths,
the praying never ends.
2
I tell them to pray,
pray, please pray,
for me, and for us all,
that the Taliban within us,
the Taliban that resides deep in every soul,
be expunged.
I tell them to pray,
pray, please pray,
for me,
and for us all.
Pray, please pray,
that I excise the Taliban within.
Pray, please pray,
for tolerance,
moderation,
respect.
Pray, please pray,
that I expel the Taliban within.
Pray for me, please pray,
that my self-righteous piety may
be transformed,
that I may awake
from this slumber
and greet tolerance,
respect,
moderation.
So pray, please pray,
that my eyes may open
to the joyous birth
of a new day.
