infant daughter of Islam 
born into the land of 
never ending war 
... 
yellowed skin 
glazed eyes 
poisoned blood 
hacking cough 
starving 
infected 
dying 
... 
snuggled in her mother's arms 
feeling the warm love from 
her mother's breast 
... 
my child will get well 
my child will not starve 
my child will not die 
... 
round her infant's neck 
the cloth packets 
holy words 
from the Koran 
holy words to protect her infant 
I paid the mullah 
for the holy words 
I paid the mullah 
I paid the mullah 
... 
Kainet infant daughter of Islam 
dies 
... 
Half a world away 
Karin 
infant daughter of Christianity 
born into the land of plenty 
lay dying in her crib 
... 
Her mother kneeling 
knees sore from days 
of praying on her knees 
praying to her god 
reading her bible 
her bible 
given to her 
by the Church of God 
... 
I obey the Church of God 
I read my bible 
my child will not die 
God will save her 
God will save her 
she will not die 
... 
Karin infant daughter of Christianity 
dies 

Keith  O'Connor 
Ottawa  Canada 
Oct   12   2001 
www.tinmangallery.com