note: in Moroccan folklore Lalla Aisha Qandisha
is a sex demon who visits lover’s dreams.
You, child of fire, are able to transcend
all these years to arrive now in my dream
as my sister, mother, teacher and friend.
I am the worst of sinners, blaspheme
on two legs; everything is just questions
with no answers. The poorest of fortune
tellers can trace my doubts in you, the ones
reserved for all Christian, Jewish, Muslim
faith. And still you come. You and I; without
bodies, only fire, only your lips, kiss
on kiss, on mine. Like burning ash; drifting
and then fusing together. Let my doubt
be a song I sing from that day to this.
I burn, child of fire. Yes, I am burning.