I Wish, I Could Poem by Feneena S Mohamed

I wish, I could
Step inside the temple compound-
Sit under the sprawling banyan tree,
Eye the windy leaves, while
The sun cascades into
Ripples of greenish-orange
On my set and mundu,
Red bangles vibrating
Against the temple banner.

I wish, I could
Step inside the Masjid-
After the Muezzin's call
On a pious Friday,
When the doors to heaven
Are left ajar, the devil chained.
I enter, my body clad in a mass of black,
The white dome on a rainy day,
The red imprints on my mussallah.

I wish, I could
Step inside the church-
My white organza sari
With pink flowers
Clad piously on my shoulders,
Hands tremble while I hold
The bread.
I could just marvel at the pew
The Holy Virgin and the Sacrament.
Passe Oves Meas- I whisper.