I liked your laughter
As you drove away
And looked back at me
In your side mirror
Not giving me time
To wave goodbye.
Perhaps, like my mother
Who hopes for a day of return
I could hold the Koran over your car
And protect you against evils
Or like my nannies, Zahra and Sakineh
I could pour water behind you
From a clay jar.
But now I have to sit alone
And sip wine from an old jug
Saying to myself wistfully:
Perhaps, he has left something behind
And will be back in no time
Honking his horn and laughing.
January 29, 2009
Ardavan Davaran was a professor of English literature in Notre Dame De Namur University in North California. In 1996 Ardavan edited an issue of Literary Review dedicated to Iranian literature in diaspora published by Fairleigh Dickinson University. He passed away on January 28, 2009.
