Cairo sleuths chew miswak
— tooth-cleaning twigs of Salvadora persica —
where Chicago cops would smoke
for social ease or oral gratification.
Salvadora oleoides burned & boiled
cures camel mange.
These remedies & manners
we marshal against our dread.
Imagine a silo filled with explosives —
setting it alight — if not hurricane, tornado,
if not earthquake, fire, the air tattooed
by dawn, by fireworks, gunfire, or bombs.
We once chewed twigs for sweetness
now pour wine for the bitter lees.
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