Poem No.7
The man from Kabul spoke to me
When,he drove my taxi home
He said he believed the Quran
And I should cover my head.
I live in a free country and can do what I wish
The man from Kabul spoke to me
It is haram he said, you see
Our Prophet said so in the Holy Book.
You can’t defy his orders.
Women must stay indoors
The man from Kabul spoke to me
No jobs for you outdoors to do.
Don’t send your daughter to school
But teach her at home as Allah
Then be happy with you
The man from Kabul spoke to me.
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The language here is so distilled, the ideas so well conveyed. One really feels the tension of the ride.