My Ancestors Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

My ancestors

In a year, maybe two
I surpass age in which
Left us both our parents…

Who were they?
Did they care?

I recall my mother
Talk of her history
While holding a tree
Of blood, family…

Her tree tells us that
She comes of prophet.

I checked my DNA
And, she was incorrect!

Firmly says DNA:
"Not slightest trace! "

She hated Omar for
Having harmed Fatima
(The prophet's daughter!)

Of lies told, had mountain,
Was proud: "Am Seyyed! "

But in fact, she wasn't
(As reveals the science!)

She was filled with the lies
To become racist kind
As were Whites in Europe
That gave names to others
Like "Niggers, " "Savages."

Father who loved his wife
Kept silent, quiet
And always insisted:
"Must respect your mother."

Therefore I, like others
Want to know, be aware
"Who am I? where from? "

I am far, far away
Years ago, departed…

Walked backward to the end,
All around the mountains
Where was born and was raised
To childhood's certain age…

Broke name of village
Which is now, my last name.

"Must have been ‘over the'"
I thought, but as question.

Kept thinking, was sure that:
"Escaped my ancestors
From swords, invaders'
Till, here, they settled
In the heart of mountains
With hardship and dispersed."

At the foot of Shedeh
In north of our village
A corpse was discovered
To Muslims "A Pagan."

Zoroastrian must have been
(One of first escapees…)

"Frašō. kərəti"
In Avestan language
Is Zoroastrian doctrine:
"Evil is destroyed,
We unite with our Lord,
The Ahura Mazda…"

I dance and celebrate:
"This is what my Dad was."