beirut

and you were meant to walk on water
while sitting on elephants
with many cows following

but i was wise to your green eyes
and fled before the floods
only to face the tornado in your disapproving absence

in case you didn't know
someone had to die for our taj mahal

i only yearn to touch
the wings of elephants in flight
always praying to catch you en route

- Bernedette Muthien (18 .02. 00)