This poem is dedicated to the memory of Mansour Rashid Kikhia, Jaballah Mattar, Fahd al-Qawasmi, Ghassan Seikaly and an Iranian dissident whose name I have forgotten, but whose story haunts me still. Each in his own way was heroic. Photo at Banos des Arabes, Sevilla, Spain.
Bright young thing
in New York watching
history unfold amidst chaos
key players crossed my path
some became friends
admired for their selfless courage
The last time I saw him
he took off his shoes
and put his feet on the table
at a UN press conference
so we could see the pattern of scars
calling card of the Shah's SAVAK*
He got our attention.
Two weeks later he was murdered.
The last time I saw him
he seemed a little drunk and flirtatious,
escorted by aides and guards
in an Amman hotel lobby
talking about an upcoming meeting
promising an interview
A sobering phone call followed:
felled on his front porch in a hail of assassin's bullets.
The last time I saw him
he was impassioned about
his human rights work
looking forward to an international conference
to expand the jurists' scope and focus
helping secure rights for all
Newspaper headlines reported his disappearance in Egypt;
UN and governmental inquiries produced no answers.
The last time I saw him
I took him shopping
for his family at Cartier
they snapped our picture at the Rainbow Room
and we went to a dinner party with friends
then he went home to Geneva
Vanished without a trace while traveling
more UN inquiries; no answers.
The last time I saw him
he told me he loved me
and kissed me goodbye
then boarded a plane to Amman
to do his father's bidding
and work in the family business
Less than five months later he was dead,
shot three times in the head.
For those still here
an obligation to tell their stories
remember what they held dear
the struggles and small victories
undying commitment to causes
greater than themselves
*Secret police during the reign of the Shah of Iran
I wrote this poem before I saw the Sunday Scribblings topic "Destination." As these men didn't choose their final destinations, the poem seems to fit the theme.
Your poem is beautifully written.
And your choice of photo perfect.
Your feelings on this subject are so strong they are coming off the screen at me.
Peaceful 2007 to you.
This is my first week here.
Frances
Posted by: Frances | 31 December 2006 at 20:16
This is amazing, and as I have friends who have been too close to being "disappeared" it is very moving. I have been touched. Thank you for a poem that is not only beautiful, but entirely necessary.
Posted by: Michelle | 31 December 2006 at 19:35
Hi,
I have read this three times and I am sorry that I cannot leave a real comment.
Have a safe evening.
Posted by: Brian | 31 December 2006 at 17:52
I still wonder why? Not, why do people have such courage, but why is it necessary? What do men achieve by wieding power in such a way as to deprive others? As always your choice of photo to go with your words is very telling
Posted by: Catherine | 31 December 2006 at 09:27
I love the photo.
Posted by: Linda | 31 December 2006 at 08:31
I agree; this is a perfect picture for this poem, looking down at the empty chairs, in the Banos des Arabes. Strong images.
Posted by: tut-tut | 31 December 2006 at 00:44
well . . . that would be "earthly" memories, Tara, not "early". Also, please check my site. This poem moved me so deeply and in conjunction with Hussein's execution, that I linked it for others to find.
Posted by: annieelf | 30 December 2006 at 21:11
The living, those who remain, suffer without rest. Some find refuge in written tribute, building a ladder to early memory. You build the ladders, Tara.
Posted by: annieelf | 30 December 2006 at 21:00
You always put things into perspective for me, plucking out truth in a world of so much noise.
Posted by: verity writes | 30 December 2006 at 19:43
Both for "Destination" and for "Destiny" this poem is perfect, Tara. Inspired and inspiring. May their deaths and your holding them up to us in remembrance be a step forward in our yearning for peace and humanity enough to each do something to further those goals in 2007.
Thanks for your always enlightening and inspiring posts.
Posted by: sundaycynce | 30 December 2006 at 19:40
Actually, it seems the man who showed us his scarred foot was apparently Iran's second President, Muhammad Ali Raja’I, who was murdered in a bomb explosion...
Posted by: Your friend Marian | 30 December 2006 at 18:44
btw, typepad seems to have flagged me as comment spam. It says I should notify you.
Posted by: Pearl | 30 December 2006 at 18:03
Sad how constant and common this is. It's like a card you're dealt. If it's in your hand you can see the face of it. From the side, such a thin unreadable edge.
Posted by: Pearl | 30 December 2006 at 18:02
Wow..that was nothing short of profound. I am sitting here ...thinking. Your words are powerful. Very powerful.
Posted by: Pam Aries | 30 December 2006 at 16:35
courage...courage....the world needs an infusion of men with genuine courage and conviction...
wishing you a happy New Year!
Posted by: lux | 30 December 2006 at 15:32
I agree... a wonderful and powerful tribute!
Tara wishing you and our world harmony peace and JOY in 2007.
Posted by: naturegirl | 30 December 2006 at 15:12
Tara,
This piece reenforces my belief that good poetry is spurred by strong emotions!
Beautifully done.
rel
Posted by: rel | 30 December 2006 at 13:50
It is important NEVER to forget, it is important ALWAYS to remember. Thanks for your post Tara.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 30 December 2006 at 13:41
A poignant, beautifully written tribute to your friends and others, who have suffered in their attempts to fight the tyranny and injustices inflicted by their fellow man. Wishing for peace this New Year, for the middle east and the world. Wishing you a New Year filled with peace, joy and love to you, dear Tara. xo
Posted by: tinker | 30 December 2006 at 07:04
Haunting prose and remembrance of those taken for their passion to justice and freedom. Perfect picture for this poem Tara. Much peace and love, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 30 December 2006 at 05:18
Superb poem ...
The 'obligation' ... it's something I struggle with constantly. Thanks for posting this, I needed to read it.
Posted by: Di | 30 December 2006 at 04:38
This is such a sobering reminder of the injustice that continues to plaque so many places in the world. What a great loss to mankind, and to you, as their friend.
A beautiful tribute...here's hoping and praying for increased tolerance and peace in the world for 2007.
Posted by: Becca | 30 December 2006 at 03:47
Wow. this is really great writing. Thanks for sharing it - very powerful stuff.
Posted by: twitches | 30 December 2006 at 02:21
A sobering reminder that the world, altho' a beautiful place, is nevertheless laced with sorrow, sadness and injustice, evil and cruelty ... I have thoroughly enjoyed my perusal through your latest posts - thank you. Hope 2007 is another beautiful year for you and your nearest and dearest ones.
Posted by: chiefbiscuit | 29 December 2006 at 23:30
Bless you for remembering them here.
Colette xoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Colette | 29 December 2006 at 20:41
Wow, Tara. Just wow...
So many things happen that the world never hears about. So many great people,-- people who could have been MLK's or RFK's, trying to change the world-- are taken out, and the world never knows what they worked for...
Thank you for sharing your amazing life experience with us. You have given me so much to think about this year, through reading your blog.
Happy New Year, friend.
I am hoping for Peace.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 29 December 2006 at 20:27
Very powerful.
Posted by: sarala | 29 December 2006 at 19:35
Powerful stuff, Tara. What makes me sad is to think not just about the men you've listed here and honored so beautifully with your words...but all the thousands and thousands just like them all over the world. What makes me sadder still is the thought that my country was probably at least partly involved in many of those cases. (Maybe not the ones you listed, but others.) Let's hope 2007 brings back some hope for the future...and that we'll begin to be led into the light...of truth. Blessings to you and yours for a healthy, prosperous, kind, joyful, hopeful year.
Posted by: Marilyn | 29 December 2006 at 17:50
I am sorry for the loss of these courageous men. I wonder sometimes if it is worth it to speak up, but in the end, I know we have to... if only for the sake of all those who can't anymore.
Thank you for sharing this, Tara...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 29 December 2006 at 17:41