He taught me how to ride my bicycle,
Or at least tried to in Roman parks until I fell.
Bruised knees I cried and sobbed as he attempted
With his distinguishing smile to extinguish my despair.
Pulsations sprang an impulse suggesting he would be
Thenceforth my fun uncle with a pony tail
And long white beard, thereby throwing the foundations
To complicity a tacit bond, made of stares giggles and jokes.
Though I understood his every word
I had difficulties answering in Farsi,
Though our conversation based on looks
Reassured me language indeed was not a barrier.
He had a reputation raising quite some bavardage
Yet he did not care nor did I for my experience
Of him was impeccable. He let
The photos of his past narrate the stories of his life,
The days he dressed up to be a gentleman in black
Polished shoes dancing tango turning many a lady’s heads;
The days he drew his creativity building magic fountains
Fabulously landscaping spaces until they tore them down.
He believed in a better world achieved through rebellion
Of the oppressed taking part in the change, disillusioned
By the internationally guided arbitrary results
He surrounded himself with youth passing the torch.
Throughout it all unfolding passions exalting existence
He held the flag up high for human elation,
Indulged in epicurean caprices roamed the mountains
Climbed to peaks as if he could
Single-handedly conquer the world.
Married thrice with beautifully strong ladies,
Placed on earth another three, daughters of whom
I know he was certainly silently tremendously proud.
He kept on dancing till the end as if he further could
Defy death by living life to its fullest for evermore,
Now departed in the blink of an eye all I have left of him
Is the memory of his deep gaze his silences,
His most contagious distinguishing smile.
With much love, I say goodbye.
[Featured photo: Uncle Reza, 2014]