Lapis Lazuli Poem by Imtiaz Dharker

If you thirst for blue beyond ultramarine,
here is the blue that stains the artist's hand,
lifted out of the most precious seam
in the generous heart of Badakshan

to place an azure light in the Pharaoh's eyes
after he is gone, lap at the Virgin's cloak,
seep into the masjid walls. A prize
to protect the wearer, allow the hope

that a simple ore could save the prey
and shield the savaged heart from harm;
that in a broken land it could find a way
to wrap the child in sacred blue, a charm

or talisman to still the approaching drone,
if you could only mine the prayer inside the stone.