Bruce Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Bruce

In morning and early
Sun played hide and seek
From behind pomegranates
From behind grape-tree
I was a child
I was proud
My dad was strong
Mom beautiful, very kind
Two sisters, brothers five
I was me; the silly

“Hey”
Ahmad said
“Go and wash”
I knew, was prepared
“New magic”
I jumped up; went to the pond
Cupped my hands
Washed my face
On return, next to him
I settled

Samovar
Its chimney held teapot
Mom was the queen
Dad was out
(Worked in our farms)
I could see the fire
In window, samovar

Ahmad was city boy
My brother, my idol
Our Joseph, beloved

“Look” He said
In the cup in no time
(Not a cup but Estekan)
I could see two layers, red and white

Long after he had gone
“To heaven” Mama said.
I learned what he had done
Teacher said in school
(Chemistry and physics)
“Unit weight and thickness”

Ahmad knew
I did not

On that day
He took tea and half-filled
Put sugar and stirred
Tea got thick and heavy
Saturated with tactic
Slowly and softly
Ahmad added boiled milk

Two layers
Miracle
One in red
Other white
A magic

All are gone …
Those days past …
All are dead…
I remained, I am left…
Nothing but bitterness…

In this snow
In your plane
With your poem
On carpet of magic
You have taken me there.
I hate you.
But thank you.