Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, XXX: "Al-Aqsa"
distant boom, boom, boom ...
the first sliver of the moon
over Al-Aqsa
FYI: Al-Aqsa is the compound of Islamic religious buildings that sit atop the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.
This haiku could be read as a prequel to the following:
And Haaretz, March 11: Israeli Police Block Hundreds of Palestinians From Al-Aqsa on Ramadan's First Night, Hit Worshipers With Batons
Restrictions for the first prayers of Ramadan contradicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent promise to allow freedom of worship. The police issued dozens of restraining orders against Palestinian activists and journalists over the past few days, barring them from the compound.
Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, XXXI: "Ramadan lantern"
silent screams as prayers
in this death-dark nightmare
a Ramadan lantern
FYI: "The fanous lantern has been a symbol of Ramadan for hundreds of years. For Muslims, it represents the light guiding the way. In Egypt, during the holy month of Ramadan, streets are illuminated at night by colorful fanous lanterns."
Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, XXXII: "pre-dawn meal"
humming of drones ...
a family's pre-dawn meal,
finger-sized biscuits
FYI: "Suhoor, known as the pre-dawn meal in English, is a significant element for Muslims during Ramadan. It is the last meal before the sun rises and the day of fasting begins."
And Haaretz, March 24: UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said that Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys to the north of Gaza, adding that this was done "to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine."
Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, XXXIII: "bulldozers"
of the Ramadan moon
rows of men
face to face with the teeth
of Israeli bulldozers
Added: reading between the lives and writing between the lines, LXXXII
Royal smiles
photoshopped for Mother's Day ....
this broken world, yet ...
FYI: Sky News, March 11: Kate, Princess of Wales, apologises 'for any confusion' after 'editing' Mother's Day photograph
Graham Smith, of the anti-monarchy group Republic, earlier said: "The manipulation of an image that the palace says was taken by William is extraordinary.
"The monarchy has always sought to manipulate and manage its image, but if they have tried to fake a photograph to silence online conspiracy theories, that is disgraceful."
Added: This Brave New World, CXI
written to the Subjects of "King Charles" whose kingdom has 4.2 M children growing up in poverty, i.e. 9 in a classroom of 30
a child's stare
at plates of English Muffins
in the store's window
its wall-mounted TV
blasts, where is Kate?
4.3 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK
9 children in an average classroom of 30 (29%) are living in poverty
7 out of 10 children living in poverty have at least one parent in paid work
900,000 children in poverty in England alone miss out on free school meals....
And BBC News, March 21: Absolute poverty: UK sees biggest rise for 30 years
The figure jumped to 12 million in 2022-2023, a rise of 600,000.
This means the rate of absolute poverty in the UK now stands at 18%
