Steelwork by Ali Znaidi

Steelwork

Before landing on earth

             Adam did not forget to steal steel from hell.

He stole steel to forge bars and fabricate fortified prisons’ doors.

He stole steel to make sharp stainless swords.

He stole steel to create all kinds of manacles.

Without stealing steel Cain couldn’t kill Abel.

Without stealing steal

             tales of tortures and stories of slaughters couldn’t be written.

Without stealing steal

             anthracite wouldn’t be extracted from the underground

             & skins couldn’t be grilled.

 Without stealing steel                                         

             barbeques of grilled skins couldn’t be prepared

             to the delight of hungry cannibals.

Without stealing steal

             weapons of mass destruction

             couldn’t see the light.

But the light in Adam’s heart made him bring steel from heaven

             to till soils,

             plough fields,

             & make swords to break all kinds of manacles.

06 03 2012