The exchange

I spend my nights weeping without tears

And my days bargaining with God.

"Take me," I plead Him.

"Make me worth their suffering;

Ya Allah, ya Allah!

Replace the orphans with me,

Replace the widows with me,

Replace even the sheep with me!"

I have told all the people in town and

They now avoid me on the street.

God, too, turns away from my

Incessant begging.

As I sit alone under a tree

Watching the smoke plumes from

The hills, I remember that it is said

That the ones He has chosen

Usually know beforehand.

Maybe I should start praying

For dreams.