Bitumen Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Bitumen

While walking on asphalt
Felt hearing someone sob!

Vigilant, looked around,
Nobody, not at all,
Not even animal,
Saw nothing walk, crawl!

Remembered Western Film,
The hero was John Wayne,
Indian at the rail,
Set ear to hear,
Careful, paid attention:
"Soon arrives the train! "

I, too, am Indigenous,
Of Iran, the mountains.

Smoothly and softly
Copied my sibling,
Set ear to asphalt,
At crack, nearby.

Had been right about sound,
The sigh was from child.

Something was coming up,
Was searching for the sun,
Kernel was from husk:
"My parents, ancestor,
Were killed or colonized,
Scared, I, had to run,
Trenches saved my life…"

So said and thanked a drop:
"It gave me new life,
Want some land to live on! "

The man came with shovel:
"The crack needs repair,
Poured sand with bitumen! "