Pierre Loti At Eyup Poem by Bernard Kennedy

Outside of Istanbul is Eyup,
like Dalkey is outside of Dublin.
And further, outside the Mosque,
the bird sellers
offer sparrows for sale, for release,
and you pay, equivalent of a penny.
'Are you not worth more than a sparrow',
the master has told us.
The bird seller places on your upturned palm,
the bird for flight.
Then you wish, a hearfelt silent thought,
anything you need as God will hear,
he knows before you speak.
Then fly the bird
and with its wings your thoughts to God.
A prayer carried from your heart,
courage means from
your heart. Your courage truthful self prayer
to God is gone.
And then you wait, the answer comes.
Like outside Dublin is Dalkey,
and outside Istanbul is Eyup, and outside the
birdsellers hand, and from your
upturned palm
outside to God.