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Sweet Ramadan
Eagerly we await your approach
Our noses itch
With anticipation
Of your perfume
Sandalwood smoke curling in the musallah
Biryani steaming in the oven
Bread frying in the skillet
Our tongues curl
Tasting now
Tomorrow’s iftar
Lemon-crisp fattoush
Lentil-rich huraira
Spicy masala and pickle smolder
Our mouths moisten
Awaiting your sweets
Date manna
Honeyed bakalava
Milk and cardamom rasmalai heaven
Our foreheads prickle
Impatient to leave their imprint
On the prayer mats of taraweeh
Our fingers fidget
Reaching for the smooth beads of tasbih
Our throats loosen
Preparing for holy recitation
Our souls stir
Feeling our Lord’s approach
Straining against the bar
Of Time’s start-gate
As though we could spring it
And rush forth headlong
With a day’s lead
In the race to please Him
Our hearts cry out
Oh Beloved Ramadan!
Oh Honored Crescent
Come! Come!
Do not hide from us!
Reveal to us
Our Sweet Ramadan!
Pamela Taylor is the co-chair of the Progressive Muslim Union of North America
