Victor Face Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Victor Face

And this is for you to remember
-no, no, no, you are gone
-is for me; to alert, remember
-the friend whose last name
-was correct and it meant:
- "Victor-Face."

He had been a ranger
-yet joined us
-to become officer
-of our kind…

His actions prevailed, was expert
-in every walk, motion.

For him as, I could guess
-training that killed us
-was peanut…

We, young kids were tired, unable
-to go on and collapsed in our tents
-but he, then, kept going far, further
-than abled trainers…

He was man of mountains.
He was an inventor.

I worked on a play
-wrote, acted, directed.

I worked hard to put it on stage
-wanted to satisfy audience
-and have them to praise.

It was on invasion
-gave it name, related
-to War and Tragedy
-and that is what it was.

I gathered what I could
-and it was almost none.

We managed the scene with
-hard work of giving team.

Everything was simple
-since we, as the cadets
-had to pass a tough test.

Imagine Shakespeare and Macbeth
-not father but homeland, invaded.

Old and young of nation volunteer;
-all genders support the government,
-everyone wants gun and uniform
-to become devoted and soldier.

The stocks are over…

People go with their fists and sticks
-their outfit is their own.

Brutal is the war with fire
-plenty are murdered and injured, arrested
-and I am one of them, the Hero;
-blindfold and handcuffed, am tortured.

"Slap me and kick me as they would! "
-I told my torturers in play…

Meant to show the hardship
-of P. O. W.
-when caught and called spy
-for lacking a number
-to be seen, considered a soldier.

Had to face the questions
-had to give them answers
-but had none except one:
- "Have life and willingly
-devote and dedicate
-to my land and nation."

I would be Veteran.

Had a wall covered with
-white cloth for writing
-with blood, when shot in
-my chest; by enemy.

"What about branding with hot rod? "
-said someone? Came to mind?
-Made plans for that one…

"Let us make fire and
-let flame dance in air
-and the wood sparkle
-and on it we set rod…"

I told cast and went on:
- "…microphone will be by
-the stove to catch sound
-of natural burning of…"

Some watched me surprised
-if I would go that far
-to sizzle my skin?

Had them go, looked around
-find, brought Styrofoam.

We cut it very thin
-and gave it exact shape
-and form to be my size…

That became part of me
-and wrapped tight around me
-and hidden in my shirt…

On it I ordered to
-splash some oil, wax
-which if burned would make
-the sound of meat, kebab,
-with smoke on rising…

Beaten and wounded I
-was laid down on ground
-to let the heated rod
-burn the shirt, raise smoke
-and sound as burning flesh
-into the microphone…

Audience was sunk in
-the actions of the scene
-shed tears and cried…

The play was success.

Too busy to play
-totally unaware
-I was of my friend.

Our two teams competing
-he had been planning
-to crush our success.

"Rat, rat, rat…"
-someone called
-and the word
-went around…

Women, girls were scared
-shouted and jumped over
-to find a safe place…

Rat was seen crawling
-underneath the benches.

He was a cadet who
-wore the gown of a mouse.
-to play a trick and ruin
-the show we prepared
-and it failed…

Later, he managed to
-play the trumpet:
- "It is time for the bed."

I love my opposer
-if acts sharp, has brain
- and hate the dumb, lazy.

Successful and joyful
-were our show, and his acts.

Not only that night that
-training time went, ended.

We joined the classes
-and course of survival.

We moved on to Air Force
-to become the pilots…

Both came back and went to
-different air-bases…

He flew the Phantom
-my baby, Hercules…

Heard of him crashing
-in the sea, at Bushehr.

I miss him and good times
-remember the gift I
-took for him to his wife.

Happily, long after
-came to me his old son
-whom I took under wing
-did what could to help him.

Fereidoon, my friend
-was worthy as ever.

I am told a pilot
-lost speed-o-meter.

My friend in plane
-got to the taxiway, radioed:
- "Follow me in my wing,
-I approach, touch and go,
-you land and we will meet…"

He never landed and instead
-sank into the waters…

How can I let him die?

Like him, man, who can find?

To him life, was giving
-seriously, joking.

As husband was perfect
-as father, example
-one of best of officers
-sample of commanders
-and devoted friend…

How can I let him die?

Like him, man, who can find?

To him life, was giving
-seriously, joking.

So, this is for you to remember
-no, no, no, you are gone
-is for me; to alert, remember
-my friend whose last name
-was correct and it meant:
- "Victor-Face."

He who was a ranger
-joined us as a cadet
-to become officer…

His actions prevailed: "Is expert
-in every walk, motion."

Every time hear the
-women talk or gossip
-or whisper:
- "Rat, rat, rat…"
-my friend comes to mind.