Heard Them Say Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Heard them say:
“Go to hell”
Saw faces on return
Bitter-filled with anger.
Cautiously I waited.

Fight worsened:
“Gringo; murderer”
“Leave and go burglar.”
“You looter and liar”
“Shut up you, the savage.”

Ugliness everywhere
Filled the field and the air
Dirty words went around
Full of hate; steel-hard

Fight went on:
“Don’t like it go back home.”
“You backward ignorant”
“Of deserts, un-civil”

What is this?
I wondered.

Third group in corner and silent
One approached and whispered
“It’s my home they fight on.
I myself, am left out.
White man came with ego
Had left sword; killed with gun
Looted, lied, destroyed, genocide
Killed my soul, my culture, left no tongue
Feels master; and sets laws, others are animals
Unlike us new waves…”

“Unlike you? ” I questioned and waited.

“New wave thinks like me; doesn't care
They’re black; they’re yellow and brown
They shout back at master
They use guns, sometimes bomb.
Find right arms in a way; here there.”