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For Mohammed Bouaz, the vegetable seller who set himself on fire December 17, 2010 in the Tunisian city of SidiBouZid.

he
wanted
to sell his
just harvested greens
to earn money
buy bread
eat
live
and love
with a humble
but not humbled
dignity

because he could not
find another way
he made of himself
a blazing fire

the scent
of his burning flesh
braids through the winds
of our days

as more and more
people gather
on blocks
and squares
in cities
across nations
seas and continents

women, no less than men
join with children and elders

veiled stand with loose haired
schooled with peasant
strident with quiet
togetherface
armored sentries
horses and tanks
guns and muzzles
gassesand whips

some are wounded
others are killed
but most
stand
climb and reach
push forward

Mohammed’s flames reach
beyond his cooled ashes
each time
the people continue
to gather
and raise our voices
riskour lives
to rage
to rise
together
to have
bread, freedom
dignity

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* devorah major served as Poet Laureate of San Francisco 2002-2006.
* Please send comments to editor[at]pambazuka[dot]org or comment online at Pambazuka News.