Friday's Children by Afzal Moolla

The Taliban Within**

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 its 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,

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 for me,

please pray,

that I expel the Taliban within.

Pray for me,

please pray,

that my self-righteous piety may,

be transformed,

so 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.

Copyright © 2013 by Afzal Moolla

**many thanks to an old comrade and dear friend for the title of the poem.