Jarsik Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Jarsik


Went to see my doctor
-pain in arm and muscles
-time to see another
-but mostly my feelings
-my failing to find job
-to pay for my pride

I resent taking help
-from the others and
-most of all, government

I spoke with doctor
-openly, clear
-requests were noted
-last one was seeking guide
-from him to find job

Doctor is a butcher
-wanted me out in rush
-have patient
-but didn't
-empty clinic
-made lady to call me
-I thought named Jasmine
-realised was Jarsik

She was born in Iran
-Iranian but Armen
-years ago, centuries
-they moved out of their lands
-were welcomed to Iran
-equal were to be but never
-and reasons strange
-stupid were both sides

They could not accept to
-join and become part, socialise
-integrate be alike
-as did the Polish ones
-who arrived long after; WW
-Armenians wanted to stay what
-had divorced, left behind
-to maintain culture and language
-as we see among some immigrants

And the hosts, the Muslims
-stupid as were they
-called them names
-monsieur for Mister
-like here and Paki, Pakistan's
-which made them different

Whenever visiting the doctor
-love hugging this sister
-she speaks Farsi and
-English and of course
-ancestors', or Armen's

I got some medicines
-which I may
-and may not
-take to kill
-not the pain
-but its cause

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