Peanut Butter & Ayat Al- Kursi
by Sagirah Shahid
When I broke my fast
peanut butter performed a minor exorcism.
Sat upon its stainless-steel throne before backing hunger into its cage.
I licked the spoon, and my tongue recited its everlasting presence on my breath.
In childhood, my grandmother taught me how to repeat the miracles of this spread.
Like a sura, peanut butter wards off the evil I contain when I am not fed. Before Fajir
after Maghrib, peanut butter to protect this vegetarian’s head. One taste and I can focus again.
Two scoops, and I drift into a brief heaven. Peanut butter encompassing my afterthoughts
swirl it with some warm honey and toast, then technically even sorcery can’t alter my vibe.
This piece was first published by the Hennepin Review.