Reaction Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Reaction

White and red and brown
Looked at me black eyes
As if were two arrows…

Every word of his mouth
Represented smudge;
He exposed his goosebumps
And spoke nonstop!

My friend, Haitian!
Was kettle, samovar
On fire and flame…

"Studied in Paris
When came call and asked me
To meet them in building? ? ? "

He told me as if was
One bubble of masses
Losing shape, taking shape.

"I have meant to help the
Blacks forced to replace
The ancient residents…

Read unsaid in his eyes:
"Genocide, genocide! "

Each comment and address
To Europe's governments
Made me feel the sticks
Of matches with flames
Burning heart, an ember
Underneath the ashes
While the mind was tinder.

He turned to volcano
Spitting a cloud of lava:
"…my daughter was small,
Held her hand tight in mine
And went there; we arrived! "

With anger he went on
As if was earthquake
Wanting to open Earth:
"I was led to basement
For questions and answers;
By few well-dressed;
Left behind my daughter! "

They told him in detail
Of place, location:
"Here is DGSE,
Acts as do CIA, KGB! "

They focused on a call:
"Contacted U.S.S.R? "

"I became desperate
When asked to work with them
And become their agent…! "

They knew everything:
"Documents, approaching
To become citizen;
I took out my card and
Told them to take it back,
Deport me but never
Demand such dirty work…"

He said and explained:
"I am a Haitian;
I must help my people,
The abused, corrupted! "

First had called USA but he was rejected:
"They left me hung in air,
Want birds of same feather
To spoil our Nation; Haitians
So, I chose the Russians…! "

In him and in his words
Saw terror with shadows;
Damned "Boots of brutal! "