Atonement Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Atonement

We met at terminal; ‘nearby'
He was from America.
I questioned 'What you want? '
And recalled going out in Texas
Getting lost and then found
Making friends; so I learned
The true living of, people in USA

'Let us go to my place.'
I offered and we went.
On the way in alley
I saw dad,
Rushed to him and humble
Said hello, kissed his hands.

Guest was shocked
He questioned open mouth
'This culture, is always? '

What I said is long gone
I knew and know now
It was my atonement
It was then and remained.
For parents till they died.

Long ago as a child
Too proud, sort of wild
Walking with classmates
What I did was mistake.

'Hey this man' someone said
'Looks at you like fathers.'
'I don't know who he is.'
I was young and selfish.

Back at home, my father
Acted, talked like unheard
Therefore I kiss his hands, atonement.