Ross

Syrians busted the earth outside Ross
and built a brownstone, cubic mosque

A simple place to bow one's head
and honor the lives of the dead

In America, the first of its kind
by humans so spiritually inclined

No matter the kind of life chosen
be it on rocky clay, hard and frozen

People revere their gods despite the place
since it's deeply ingrained in the human race

And in that frozen corner of Earth
did the scant few find their worth

A minor satellite within Mecca's orbit
and the new pioneers come to absorb it

The history that is, based on a hope
found in unity, that one binding rope

Those first pioneers cut open the soil
to make fortunes from gold, not oil

But there was oil under their feet
that Americans will likely deplete

A kind of irony considering these times,
one where Islam is viewed as equal to slime

And maybe that's enough to give one pause,
that unity should come before calling out flaws

Life has a way of working the events out
even if the future is nothing but a great shroud

But the staunch few still hold vigil
with the crescent moon as their sigil

One nation under freedom of faith
blessed with an amazing grace

May the majority take this lesson to heart
before more innocent lives are torn apart

Author's Note

Context:

Ross, North Dakota is home of the oldest mosque in the United States. A simple monument surrounded by a small cemetery in a place that is predominately Christian and Scandinavian. The irony is that below the mosque are the oil pockets that are making my home state rich, for the moment. The poem came to me after realizing that people in this part of the world put collective survival before cultural bias and they all scratched out an existence that would make them fondly remembered as pioneers by their descendants. Since 9/11, Islam has been unreasonably condemned as violent and intolerant by people with violent and intolerant mindsets themselves. I wrote this poem as a testament not only to the truth that people of all religions can be kind and caring people because of their beliefs, but also as a testament to my American identity and Unitarian Universalist faith. Without kindness, caring, respect, there really is no way humankind could survive with other, let alone the universe that created them.

Reviews

[...]

... what a brilliant piece of heart, soul and poetry... i am so moved by this gesture from you that i'm overwhelmed and must thank you a million times... thank you for writing this piece... no religion is flawed... those who manipulate religion for other motives are the biggest criminals... because religions are pure... it's an abuse of religion to use it for other motives...

[WhiteWillow]

This is a great piece: educational, and a cry to humanity, to end unnecessary hate and violence. A profound and hope-inspiring write.

[Muse]

It's easier to point the finger at another race..another religion...another politician. It's lack of accountability that makes people intolerant.

[Coyote Poetry]

I was lucky. I went to the Middle East and Africa many times on missions for the Army. The people of the Middle East and Africa were kind and willing to share their belief. Men create fear and hate. The Quran teaches love and understanding. Just like the Bible does. Man twist the words for excuses. I like the poem. We need to respect each other. Religion is a private matter. Thank you for the outstanding poem.
Coyote