Shalom Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Shalom

Saw the sign "Mezuzah"
-stuck on door frame; then rang bell.

Said: "Shalom"
-when opened.

She was shocked and wondered
-her look was strange;
- (as if one had maddened!)

I, therefore, explained:
- "I saw this, recognised…
-I have Jewish friends
-and today…Saturday…"

Did not go deep, further
-into my awareness
-of the Jews, Jewishness
-except that small fact.

Relation changed too much
-as if coat inside out
-and the sea upside down.

"I was born in flock…"
-she said, and that is right
- "Being born does not mean…"
-I opened my arms and soon after
-she rested among them.
- (Siblings regardless of our faiths.)

Time was short on my side
-she seemed to want to talk.

"Thanks Heavens we live in Canada, "
-is the shortest, concise
-way to show what she meant:
- "…had we been in Mid-East
-or the land of Yankees
-we would have been dragged…in
-killing, bloodshed or becoming racist! "