I Want A Poem
by Shukria Rezaei
I want a poem
with the texture of a colander
on the pastry.
A verse
of pastry so rich
it leaves gleam on your fingertips.
A poem
that stings like the splash of boiling oil
as you drop the pastry in.
A poem
that sits on a silver plate with
nuts and chocolates, served up to guests who
sit cross legged on the thoshak.
A poem
as vibrant as our saffron tea
served up at Eid.
Let your poetry
texture the blank paper
like a prism splitting light.
Don’t leave without seeing all the colours.