My Father’s Belief

This is my father’s belief

To give my all

And take back what was stolen by the thief

A long journey searching for relief

To climb the city that thrives on the mountain and sound the Prayer Call

This is my father’s belief

A knife, a stone, a pistol, as taught by our Commander in Chief

To stab, to throw, to shoot, to squall

And take back what was stolen by the thief

But sometimes I wonder, can we turn a new leaf?

“They took your land, your home, left you with nothing but a dirt wall!”

This is my father’s belief

“Make us proud, Habif.”

I hide my tremble beneath the covert wires packaged neatly under my shawl

And take back what was stolen by the thief

I look back at the days of my life

The memories as heavy as the weapons I maul

This had not been my intention at all

Though a choice I did not have, I am held enthralled

For, this is my father’s belief

To give my life, and take back what was stolen by the thief

Supermarket

Pushing the cacophonous cart

Through the endlessly stocked avenues

Looking for what the wife had asked for,

I glance at my ticking timer.

Who craves Double Chocolate Cookie Dough Brownie Swirl and Pickles at

11:34 pm and I have yet to hear from her.

She left this morning

Slamming the door, shattering my heart behind her.

Maybe she’s back at the apartment waiting for me . . .

Oh! Mangos! I should get her some since they are her

Favorite song! Tap my feet, discrete as can be

We’ve known each other for so long Your heart’s been aching but You’re too shy to say it

I grab the shampoo bottle off the shelf, alone in the aisle at last.

Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down

Never gonna run around and

Dessert for tomorrow’s dinner party! Frank and Willis just had to

Invite themselves over so last minute.

Macaroons? Strawberry Cheesecake? This Almond Crusted Apple Pie sounds delish!

Oh, but Willis doesn’t like apple bits . . .

Well she can just stick those bits up her

Asparagus, not Broccoli, nor Carrots or Sprouts

I want candy

“I WANT CANDY, MOMMY!”

These Dino Gummies, the Reese’s Cups, Twizzlers and Hershey’s too

“I SAID, I WANT

To quit. Sweep this

Pick up this, stock that

But Ma needs my help. We barely made last month’s rent.

The Kardashians taunt me from the cover of People on display by the register

They never have to worry a day in their lives all because one of them

“Sucks to suck, don’t it? HA HA!”

The phone wedged between my ear and shoulder, I grab the Coors Light six pack 
Checking a second time to make sure it’s the cheapest of the beers.

“Luck, you say? Guess we’ll find out tomorrow! Beers on me!”

So much money at stake. The Giants better win again tomorrow or else I’m

Fucoid Seaweed would go delightfully with my Filet Mignon!

Porcini Mushrooms too! Sautéed in melted Compound Butter. Mmm.

A fair young lady, her presence noted

The scent of her J’adore Eau de Parfum tickles my whiffer

A Bottle of Chateau Lafite, dinner, and her would make me

Sleep. Almost time to get out of here.

Beep. I hear my bed calling me. Double Choc Cookie Dough Brownie Swirl Pint $5.29

Beep. The warm blankets engulfing me under layers. Vlasic Kosher Dill $3.49

Beep. 8 hours of pure bliss before all this again.
I tear a bag from its stack and compile the groceries. “Thank you and have a Good Night”