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May the fire you spread gleefully this way
scorch you and your family at the other end
may your patrons in government corridors
become dead vultures to the entire world
may the horses you ride to sack villages
throw you into vainglorious days
may the identity you hide now in scarves
be stripped by the Maker when you need cover
may those you chase out of life in these raids
turn round to pursue you out of the next life
may you have sway of night your haunt
and day reduce you to the lowest vermin
may you escape justice of Khartoum’s courts
and be condemned forever in a higher trial
may those you kill to seize their property
deny you the ultimate refuge of peace
may djinns you invoke in your despoliation
testify against you in the final judgment
may you be victim of your blood thirst
and wander without relief from paradise
may the fire seeds you sow in Darfur
consume you and your damned bands. . .
Per Contra Winter 2006-2007