Like Then Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Like then

Had plans, among cars, I crawled, pushed the gas
Slow, fast

Red light said: “Watch brakes, ” didn’t care
In old car, is normal.

With speed of eighty, big trucks on both sides
Felt a pig in a pen and afraid; no brakes
There was none…simply none…

Must have been white as chalk, did my best, with zig zag
Chose last chance, to stop; had to go to garage…

Mechanic was named Sean
As I learned, he was born, and was raised in Iraq.

We spoke Arabic
My fellows in wonder; I am not an Arab…

I told him of my why…“I flew; over me your Mirage
Pilot waved, did not hit; I owe him my crew and my life
Passengers, and plane; so I paid part of it…
Helped soldiers, Iraqis.”

“I gave them what they asked: ‘Ma’ (water,) I am glad
And later learned your tongue.”

“We are one…” we said and we hugged hard:
“We are one family, brothers…”
Damn leaders, these bastards; regardless…

On his arm was a church, Orthodox
To show faith; Armenian…

We have come a long way
What knows a newborn?
Damn you those…
Involved in politics; you devils…

In Iran was the same…mostly were mechanics, handymen
Except some poets and, artists and, architects…