An Honest Claim Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

An honest claim

He called and I made food
He was good excuse.

Food and I are distanced
As are sea and sky…

But friend of decades
Could and did cause a change!

He referred to Mullahs:
"Can forgive, close eyes
On my land and lost job
On the joys I could have
But not the…"

Salt drops his tears
In, around eyes, wrinkled,
And shades of creased lids
All hidden underneath
Long grown eyebrows.

"Want my faith good or bad
I lost and want it back…"

Looked at me right in eye
Searched and looked for reply.

"Then believed what they said
Meant real, true faith
So never touched Koran
Unless cleaned and did wash.
I loved our Imam Hussein
As pure and great…"

He stopped and wandered:
"I want my innocence!
Want it back before die;
They took it, I am lost! "

He said and damned mullahs
I had to stand and take his side.