Javal Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Javal

Remember four or more
Women holding chador
Underneath big tree
Of the white mulberry…

A man would climb to
Kick branch and help the
Fruits fall, and safely…

Summer sun copied hell,
Far hooter the fire…

Men, women, together
Gathered, took, spread
Many long wheat-stalks
Made mattress, as an art.

Poured harvest on the bed
Let dry in the sun…

Then after, in right time
Harvest went in Javals…

Fathers in cold seasons
Rested by the mud walls
And span the shorn hair
Of the goats, in summer.

Both women and the men
Used threads of the hair
Weaving to make carpets.

Then folded and sewed sides
To make big bags, Javals.

Each season Great Earth,
Bore many kids and raised
And they loved their mother
As dear, kind, giver
That ate own children
Right after they faced death.