I Know The Grapes And Garlic Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

I know the grapes and garlic

Was working as a child
Started at age five
No, no, no, four or less
For this was nine, or eight…
And worked as grocer
No school…
Poverty or pride demanded
And forbade…

Men, women, our neighbours
Called on my brother; almost begged:
"He is good and better…"
They meant their children
I heard them; overheard:
"Spare him...he deserves…"
Wanted me in school!
I knew he could not…
Shop small with little capital
Disaster was income
How could he?
Instead he himself was teacher
With actions, behaviour
He taught me of garlic and grapes
How to sell, to handle
Both, shop and the city children
They behaved like devil…infidels…
The time came for me to master them
And beat them in their games
I frowned and they ran, too scared,
But also I and my brother copied them like parrots
The same was with me in USA
But no more; I am a villager
"Giveh pa", "Pacheh Goshad"; will remain
Short lived was my life in the village!
Five or six maximum!
He taught me with sticks; also nail and the chain
Like the dogs; Jack London's for sledge; …
I too learned to face life
Resilient, to adapt, or alter, or adjust
Elastic, accept change, fluid go or come…
He made me a master in weighing, handling and speech…