26

I pray the grapes grow.

I pray the grapes grow.

I pray that the grapes grow
so the world gets drunk
and they drunkenly stumble
through the streets
shoulder to shoulder
Presidents and Beggars, together
may the borders become drunk
and Mohamad Ali, after 17 years
can finally see his mother
and Amina, after 17 years
can touch the creases of her child’s dress

I pray that the grapes grow
may the river Amu raise its beautiful sons to the top
may the Hindu Kush free her daughters
for a moment may the guns forget to remember
their duty to tear apart
and may the knives forget to remember
their duty to cut
may pens write fire with fireworks

I pray that the mountains reach other other
and the oceans stretch to the heavens
and steal his moon
May the leopards and deers meet
within the tavern

I pray that drunkenness spreads to things
to break cages and walls
and you
as you hold and kiss your lover
remember me too
my lover
my distant lover
drink one last cup with me