They Walk Away Poem by Ali Rahimi

Tea leaves refresh childhood memories,
Evenings after hard work as a construction laborer,
Cigarette butts bring to my mind,
Friends who puff me away, in delight, indulging in pleasure,
Throw me on the pavement, to be trampled by passersby,
They walk away,
Roses conjure up serial lovers,
Bullets fired by fire squad of lovers,
Swords shine with revenge, slaughter and laughter,
Flattery, praise and admiration just words in bootlickers’ dictionary,
They are just mere mercenary, power and benefit missionary,
Beware, there is no such word in my lexicon,
Crocodile tears, fake smiles, beautiful empty words,
Kisses with the taste of multiple lovers,
Hugs smelling of betrayal, treason, treachery,
They walk away,
Ladders, elevators, stairs are us,
You climb us up, ascend us atop,
You climb up the ladder, don’t break the rungs,
Bottles, glasses, paper are recycled,
Friends do not recycle us, they dump us,
Magnifiers, laser, and radars invoke,
Nasty intruders, invaders, trespassers,
Hats hide untrue respect, emotional bribery,
Are removed and put up for powerful elite,
Shoes are glittering signs of elegance, grace and dazzling charm,
Vehicles, chariots, to be disposed of,
Friends are deodorants, perfumes, hair removers,
To hide their sickly, stinky malodorous nature,
Why do they vanish when we are down out?
Emerge and smile when we are up and about?
They escape when we are in dire strait,
Resurface like shit in toilet sinks, go down and rise up again,
We are the king, we are the champions, we are the lord, the majesty,
The crowned, the embellished, the decorated royal head,
They are the lowly toes,
Like black clouds, towels, pillows, leeches, scavengers,
They walk away …