Learning the Words

“Faith begins where certainty ends.”

Heavy walking.

House shaking.

I’m trying to learn salat,

but the words keep slipping.

Bismillah…

Abu says,

Musawwir

hold your head high.

As Ummi watched from a distance

Kneel down.

Now.

Turn your foot in like this.

Stay right there

until I tell you to move.

Now say these words

after me.

Bismillāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm