Rainbow Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Rainbow

He, friend, classmate
A mentor, was still strange
From Iran was I and, he from USA
Our cultures far apart, different.

He taught me some words
They were hard, explained.
We bought and ate torpedo
Interested, I fast learned.

One day innocent I, followed my culture
Reached for his hand as friend
Like a girl, suspicious to be raped
He fast ran; shouted:
“Don’t touch me, I am no gay.”
He saw me, in their way.

Decades passed, I look back
I smile at things gone-by
World has changed.

Once rainbow came after rain
Sat high, in sky with colours
No more.

Now it is on flag on the walls
And thousands, all around
Celebrate with pride.