Mohammad Mohammad sat in his room
in the Palace of a Thousand Loving Nights
in the Street of a Thousand Dead Virgins
Mohammad Mohammad thought to himself
of the mountain which stood on the other side of the river
So he sent for his Chief Messenger
- Go tell yonder mountain to come unto me -
The messenger returned to Mohammad Mohammad several days after
- Oh Great Mohammad Mohammad the mountain has sent reply -
- The mountain will not come to Mohammad
Mohammad must go to the mountain -
Mohammed Mohammed was not angry
He did not tear his clothes
He did not beat his breast
- The mountain shall be brought unto me -
Next day there started on the journey to the mountain
fourteen lorries two bulldozers and the foreman's mark ten jag.
They worked all day and they worked all night
The lorries journied to and fro
and in forty days and thirty-nine nights
the mountain stood in the garden of the palace
If Mohammad will not go to the mountain
the mountain may be brought to Mohammad
© GERALD ENGLAND
Composed: Glasgow, 15th November 1966
Publications
1976 MEETINGS AT THE MOOR'S EDGE (West Kirkby, Headland)
1994 International Poetry (USA)
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