Haboob

Sand scrapes the shutters raw

I count the hours till it arrives

A wall of ochre swallowing the sun

My mother warned me years ago

Told me storms take everything

That bends too proud to bow

So I lock the door

I bolt the frame

Still the wind knows my name

Here comes the haboob

Rolling like a rumor through the town

Here comes the haboob

It buries what it cannot tear down

Tear down

Tear down

Dust fills the cracks I patched with prayer

The lamp gutters then dies

I hear the oud across the courtyard weep

Somewhere a neighbor's roof gives way

And everyone becomes the same

Small and blind and brave

So I hold my breath

I press my palms

The whole world turns to gauze

Here comes the haboob

Rolling like a rumor through the town

Here comes the haboob

It buries what it cannot tear down

Tear down

Tear down

Breathe slow

Breathe slow

It cannot take the roots below

Breathe slow

Breathe slow

The roots below

Here comes the haboob

Rolling like a rumor through the town

Here comes the haboob

It buries what it cannot tear down

Tear down

Tear down