Ahmed Douma

Jan 25, 2025 | poetrynw.org | Ahmed Douma |Abdelrahman ElGendy

Bells crackthe air, my chest. Children,right on time, string the alleyin ribbons, breathelight into a treefor Eid. Branchesbloom with the weightof yearning. But night, a coiledserpent—a sceneunspooling from an oldreel—setsits trap. And Santa Claus, old manwith a khakisack slung acrosshis back, arrives bearingjoy. The childrenglow,gather,utter wishes. He hands out                     —justly—bulletsto each chest. Dreamsspill down to earth, powderunder his militaryboot. The night, the alley, swimin red.