Spring 2009

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Fiction

Sins of Monsoons
Shaila Abdullah – United States

The first thing you noticed about him wasn’t his bedraggled state or his incessantly snotty nose. It was the bluish-black scar that ran lizard-like across the entire breadth of his chin, forming a half-smile, a semicircle of nature’s mockery or a product of someone’s cruelty.

Coconut
Bilal Latif – United Kingdom

You just walked in. Like it was nothing. Shouldered your rucksack, strolled through the double doors, down the corridor, and entered the prayer room. A pious student come early for Isha. As if you were honest. As if you belonged.

Poetry

Hira
M.A.R. Habib – United States

For years, the darkness has draped me,
Enshrouded in the high mantle of night.

Scents of Direction
Asad Jaleel – United States

A family moves West
Packing up all the sundry items
And traveling over mountain, prairie, and desert ...

 

The Flutes of the Djinn
Djelloul Marbrook – United States

I don't know, djinn, how much you remember
but I know you measure the Sahara's sands ...

Speed of Life
Sankar Roy – United States

Dear Allah, my mullah, you’re reeling the movie roll of my life
way too fast. I am having a hard time keeping up with it.

 

From the Camera
Joanna M. Weston – Canada

each time the shutter opens
another face slips in
stored until I’m ready ...