The Bazaar at Walled Mellah, Rabat

About this poem: This poem was inspired by a visit to the Jewish quarter in the city of Rabbat...where my father born and grew up. Their presence still linger within the walls....

 

 

The Bazaar at Walled Mellah, Rabat

 

 

in a heavy coat

          I stand against the chill of mid-March

                         black umbrella shielding

from the persistent drizzle

 

I make my way down

            a path of weathered white walls

                             men in front of charcoal fires

   offering roasted almonds and pistachios for pennies

 

entering the busy bazaar

        I recall this place   its history  

                                my people lived in Walled Mellah

for over two-thousand years                     

                  spoke Aramaic   bolted David's Shield

                                      on every entrance door  

 

my pulsing heart feels the stones

      fermenting in silence

     tailors   carpenters   leather makers  

               clung as a community

                               stumbled over fragmented scrolls

haunted by the Evil Eye

           their tantalizing scents

  cut through the damp air in a rhythmic cry

 

tonight   I will eat a solitary meal

             couscous with bare hands as I did as a child

gulp green tea with honey

               swallow embers of memory

 

  

 

Reviews

[Samuel Jack]

Beautiful, a lot of imagery here, with the way you spaced the words I felt like I was slowly spiralling down. I'll have to read some more of your work.

[The Poetry of Michal (Mitak) Mahgerefteh]

Samuel, thank you for the positive and encouraging review. My family is originally from Morocco so I was very much connected to the land and people during my 2008 visit.