We love death.
The U.S. loves life.
That is the big difference
between us.
Osama bin Laden
Afghanistan, November 9, 2001
i
you’re exhausted
now. the pakistani
journalist who interviewed
you has been
blindfolded &
escorted out of your
cave. you are
alone.
you are
alone & alive. such
irony.
your veins are
bulging with the
blood of so
many.
you have summoned the
thunderthuds of
shiva
& for your
love of horror, the lightning
will find
you.
this is your
private
war
your followers
spending their lives to
protect you as a
saint––
your enemies
risking their lives to
capture you as a
criminal.
ii
Islam affirms
life as a gift of
God.
Islamic children love
life.
Islamic elders love
life.
Islamic mothers & fathers love
life.
even mujahedeen would
rather taste love
than a bullet in their
guts.
in this you are
wrong, bin Laden,
we humans are not very
different at
all.
iii
it is time to
bring paradise to
earth for your
people.
not false medallions of
shattered bones & rotting
flesh.
there is no single
lesson about hate in
all the holy
books.
no, not one.
how were you so
deceived?
after so much
pain,
your life is
all you possess of
value.
step out of the
sightless shadows &
welcome your
destiny.