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get down w/yr. muslim-catholic self (the 7" version)
by robert karimi

It was around Ramadan
and i was wondering whether i should
fast every friday for 40 days
and give up something like liver or C-SPAN for Lent.
or kick it with my muslim self
and just make fastin’ a daytime thing.
givin’ up rum&coke, chorizo and getting busy for 4 weeks.
then i heard a voice: GET DOWN W/YOUR MUSLIM-CATHOLIC SELF.

Sometimes
i pray a few rosaries to the east on Friday
during a dilemma like this.

i know i have to make a pilgrimage before i die
and Jerusalem, Mecca, and the crying virgin on Sunset Blvd.
all sound like the right spots.

A Good Book says the maya
moved to the middle east
to escape the aztecs and the cath-o-lics.
that’s why my muslim and catholic selves
don’t feel different. don’t look different.

i take out my praying carpet
and say a few Hail Marys to the East
and i wonder:
will Allah, Jesus, or Mohammad
break down with divine intervention?
while i pray i hear:

GET DOWN W/YOUR MUSLIM-CATHOLIC SELF.

five pillars. 10 commandments. seven sacraments. for one god?
trinity. infidelity. christianity.
divinity defined by infinity
but i can’t count that high.

i rebel and make a crusade
to rid myself of all those trying to box me into
one religion. one god. one identity.
jihad incarnate...aaaaaaaaaAh-MENnnn....

and the voice becomes a vision
of maya, mohammed, and a pope or two.
backed up by Miles, Jimi, Nina, and Billie who sings the blues:

get down w/your muslim-catholic self. get down w/your jewish-taoist self.
get down w/your zoroastrian-baha’i-christian-protestant-buddhist-african religion-baptist-indigenous religion- hiphop-rockero-salsa-chicago house diva-x-men readin- cross dressin-
doing all the thing your parents told you not to do-question askin-revolution seeking-
your god-your way self.

get down w/your self.

your self.
or be down here
in this heat
forever
and never
reach the end
of the circle, dig?

© 1999-2003 robert karimi

Click here for a printable version of this poem.