Slapped Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Slapped

He took out his art of the time
-his cell
-as all do
-a picture
And explained:
-was arrested
-he is fifty three
-a Kurd in Turkey
-and was beaten by
-Twenty-year-old-Turk
I read the rest…
-political
-opposition
-trusted dogs
I recalled Tehran,1978
-revolution
-I was in university
-a captain
-and student
-the police low-ranked
-slogans; motions
-Run-run-run
-I did as students did
-Run-run-run
-stepped out of the door
-a hand landed on my ear…
Took a deep breath
-felt the pain; fresh
-the sergeant wore a ring
-golden with shah on it
-he had slapped me
-had to swallow
-pain; pride
-would be a loser if…

He is a Kurd in Canada
-cannot get the story
-unless in detail

Swallowed the pain
-again!