Jesus Wept

While on his travels
Jesus passed by a rotting skull
He commanded it to speak
The skull said
“Spirit of God
My name is Balwan ibn Hafs
King of Yemen

I lived a thousand years
Begat a thousand sons
Deflowered a thousand virgins
Routed a thousand armies
Killed a thousand tyrants
And conquered a thousand cities

Let him who hears my tale
Not be tempted by the world
For it was like nothing so much
As the dream of a sleeper”

Jesus wept.

–adapted from Tarif Khalidi, The Muslim Jesus

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