Poetry > THE PRISONER
Denice Laws
THE PRISONER
The detainee was sobbing again.
I clench my stomach muscles and stiffen my spine.
They told me this would get easier
But it hasn’t.
She is struggling to raise her bound hands to her chest.
They are chained to the metal chair she sits on.
I hear her crying out
a call to prayer:
Allaahu Akbar. (God is great.)
Ashhadu Allah ilaaha illa-Lah. (I bear witness that there are none worthy of worship except God.)
Ash Hadu anna Muhamadar rasuulullah. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.)
Hayya' alas Salaa. (Come to prayer.)
Hayya' ala Falaah. (Come to felicity.)
A-Salaatu Khayrun Mina-Nau. (Prayer is better than sleep.)
Qad qaamitis Salaah. (Our prayers are now ready. Our prayers are now ready.)
Allaahu Akbar. (God is great.)
Laa ilaaha illa-Lah. (There is none worthy of worship except God.)
I know she has done this for me.
As her eyes appeal to my soul for mercy
I shut the metal door behind me.
I tell myself,
“She is not from my village; she is not my family.”
But my heart knows its own lies as I begin translating.