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When Irish soda bread read Surah Fatihah
Sunlight streamed through the kitchen blinds to witness its part, as wisps of stalks kissed the sky far off, stretching in bulk – in hopes of someday joining the flour board to Surahs. The salt of the earth knew its importance with the gratitude of satisfied taste. And yet, far off still, grazing meandered on its way to the flour board of Surahs.
Her fingers sifted through the flour and salt as her inner voice gave them thanks. It was this personal touch which spoke from her to them. Pouring the fresh, cold dairy gave a vibrant energy on its way to the flour board of Surahs.
Alive, alive, alive each morsel pulsating praise. From the sun to the fields of sway. From the fields of sway to the pastures of graze. From the pastures of graze to the rock bottom salt mines. Alive, alive, alive each morsel pulsating praise.
And when they met on the flour board of Surahs the sunlight reminded them, ‘Embrace one another for today you will read The Salah.’
Then they spoke to one another, ‘Yes, we will read The Salah. We will read The Opening, we will read The Remedy…’
From the flour board of Surahs she marked each loaf in remembrance with an X For Malcolm, for his journey embraced them too. An X for the path they chose to the flour board of Surahs. An X for the breath pulsating each morsel’s praise. Alive, alive, alive.
From the flour board of Surahs they met on the table of nourishment. As each slice became a morsel, devoured. Their language did not fade but gained strength. As they were joined with remembrance of praise, of glorifying, of asking for sustenance.
Alive, alive, alive as each voice gave reflection, gave a yearning. To stretch in unison, with the subconscious acknowledging, ‘This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall acquire what he sought.’
4 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
2 cups of buttermilk
Mix all of the ingredients with hands. Then knead into a ball to stick together, all the while with your positive energy flowing from your fingers and hands to the flour mixture with an acknowledgement for their part in nourishing your body and soul.
Divide flour mixture in half. Pat each portion into a 9″ greased pie plate. Cut a (Malcolm) X across the top of each dough ball to let it breathe while baking.
Bake in a 350° oven for 50-60 minutes. Serve with Irish butter as an added nourishment.
Maryam Mir
Maryam Mir is an Irish American Muslim story teller memoirist. She resides in Southern Arizona reflecting on the seasons of change. Maryam observes the renewal of desert beds of cactus needle growth and the blossoming of Mexican petunias in her garden. It is there she finds the power love has in being laced with verbiage. Her most cherished name to be referred to is "Grandmama."