5. As-Salam – Peace at the Begining

Suggests peace, health, wholeness, safety --- 'I feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, a still and quiet conscience' Shakespeare 


To Innesfree
When Yeats suggested go
to one Lake Isle
to find peace in wind and snow or rain or hail
- and plant nine bean-rows;

he hinted that to hear,
listen and become –
is the real game we play, or else be dumb
to a swelling of hearts and the sea.

Hold
Busy, my two hands
tremble, flicker, turn and wave,
drop and lift, cupped.

The One in front
A man who works with his hands
lowers eyes.

Filthy palms and fingers!

He picks a bar of dirty soap,
vigorously rubbing hands and soap
into a stream of impure water,
freshens up his hands;
shakes them, dries them on
a grubby towel:
takes the biggest breath
he ever took to clean his heart

and now he offers hands and heart
as pure as he can make them.
Will you take them?