Planting Hate Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Planting hate

Was writing of my dad
-came to mind very past
-relations, families
-my parents and their deeds

Dad spoke of her, high
-informed us:
- "Respect Mom, have good life."

We were walls,
-he hit balls of advice
-he said and his kids, all
-listened as mice in hide…

When came in such words we
-knew that one had been
-acting bad, devilish
-mom was hurt…

"You better behave if…"
-said mother as threat:
- "don't want me to tell dad."

To someone out of house
-dad might look very tough
-he, small, muscular, strong
-had lifted someone who
-in the size was twice him
-slammed him on ground
-had sat on his chest and called:
- "Ahmad, go get some shit"

Ahmad, my brother
-told me how was scared
-ran and did as ordered

"Dad pushed shit in man's mouth! "

"This is how I treat,
-the one who insults me…"
-dad was known as toughie.

Dad taught us with respect
-mom and dad had lessons…
-for us; their children

Our textbook to behave
-was their love-relation
-respecting each other

In our minds
-that is best heritage

We never heard or saw
-either one
-raising voice on other

Mom to us was tough one
-Dad? Never!
-but still
-children
-feared dad with respect

Dad was an outsider
-to the house, children
-his share was the trees
-animals, streets…

Mom ruled house as queen
-had a way with us; how to deal
-to make men and women from kids
-dad, an expert in handling the farming

I become speechless
-when facing the parents
-hearing a mother or father
-speaking with anger:
- "Your mom is…"
- "Your dad is…"

Wonder how a parent
-talk to own children
-of spouse as devil
-feel sorrow and dread.