Love Or Kindness? Poem by Freeyad Ibrahim

We, most of the people originally from East,
suffer from Some kind of a chronic love suppression
We regard any kindness from a teacher,
a nurse, a friend, a colleague, as love
Beyond any discussion.
Every smile on the face of a female
in our faces is interpreted as love
Because we are thirsty for love and compassion.
That is because of the family's
Society's and religion's restriction.
Personally, after my arrival to this western country,
25 years ago, and without any anticipation,
I fell in love with a blonde Dutch nurse up to my ears
Which I hid lest I might draw others' attention.
Do you know why
Because whenever she faced me,
She smiled heartely and lovley in my face
But I faced later a huge frustration.
Gradually I came to know
That smile here is part of the protocol
of the contract, the job condition.
It has became for me a useful lesson.
Gradually I drew the conclusion:
Love is something far from kindness,
And took my care and precaution.

Freyad Hugo
Heerenveen
August,2021