Shook Hands With Mullahs 1 Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Shook hands with mullahs 1

He is old
Sits at home
Called him to plant hope,
And had to say something.

-I know you
-creative and smart
-able to give, take heart

These were just for warm up
Must become reason; cause
For him to step out…

I went on
And went on
And went on

Did my best
'Be funny;
Not selfish! '

Story I told him
Ended in starting
Big change in history!

-then I taught English
-was part of stream
-though air-force officer
-wore civil, dressed well
-had long hair and beard
-slept as people did
-in time of rebellion
-that morning changed the things
-in brown trousers, shirt, jacket
-the last one was leather;
-got taxi and a morning paper
-news read: 'No such thing; '
-General had said so.
-I was sure that he lied
-'soon will see, '

I told him the fact that
I must tell to the world…

-I taught there
-got taxi and got off
-walked southward to begin my class
-English; students were cadets
-to become Homafars, officers
-big crowd stood there
-in front of base-gate
-in center guards' trucks and their guns…
-I showed card and arrived
-to see what had said 'No' General;
-sure something had gone on!
-I heard my students
-they were mess and scared
-eyes sunken, no one shaved
-kids were lambs
-officials were mean wolves

They told me story as happened:

-kids sat in TV room
-came the time of news
-Khomeini was shown and,
-we said the Salavat (was normal)
-tired of his long shifts
-cursed us the man as guard
-lacked patience
-he shouted once again with the curse
-kids took it as a game and played
-the guard reached for his gun
-to silence used air-shots
-children ran away
-started slogans against shah
-things blew out of hand
-came the base commander
-used pistol, one was killed, several arrested
-I, teacher, trusted, so asked them:
'Did you call your parents? '

This question became base for changes
I'll write next!