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Majid Naficy: Ruthless Gods
Outside, the warm wind of Santa Ana
Ruthlessly blows
And brings coughing and itching.
I am fallen in bed
Thinking of the world
Which has given its heart
To ruthless saints.
In Iran, the deputies of Allah still shed blood,
In America, the evangelists
Have voted for a con artist
To start Armageddon
And in Israel, the criminals
Are inspired by the stories of the Old Testament
For massacring children in Gaza.
I detest the world
Which has given its heart
To ruthless gods
But suddenly the sound of a soft ring makes me jump.
My son has heard the sound of my coughs
From miles away
And has ordered bone marrow broth for me.
I let go of ruthless gods
And splash some water to my face
So that before the delivery man
Hands me the package of kindness
I will be ready.
November 8, 2024
~~~~
Majid Naficy is the author of many books in Persian and in English including A Witness for Ezzat, a collection of thirty poems in memory of his wife Ezzat Tabaiyan executed on January 7, 1982 in Evin Prison and buried in the Khavaran Infidel Cemetery in Tehran.
Copyright 2024 Majid Naficy
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Ruthless saints and gods stroll around arrogantly and yet we are immobilized by them as we watch impotently while genocide continues and our government arms war machines and despots. What a magnificent poem!
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Yes, Majid is working in the long magnificent tradition of Persian poetry.
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The ruthless gods seem to make huge gestures of evil, while the gifts of kindness and love arrive in small packages. Thanks to Majid Naficy for reminding us to be ready to receive the caring.
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It’s all there. Indeed. I wish we could do more. But letting it out in a poem is powerful enough for me for now. Every day I take a step towards some kind of sanity despite…
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Yes. The horror, the disbelief, the powerlessness and still the love. Thank you.
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WOW! So powerful. Thank you Majid, for expressing what so many of us are feeling.
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