Friday, 19 August 2022

Sandals

4pm day nearly done
Fucking little arseholes shouting 
screaming throwing sandals 
fighting with feet and pointed fingers

Wallah
Break it up 
Muhammad here NOW
Amad OUT GO

wallah habibe
Why are you fighting?
no response
bell sounds
other students leave
no time to set homework

Why, are you fighting?
silence
sideways glance 
irritation starting to perforate
fury

"Wallah teacher why you keep me here? Mushkala teacher!"
Eyes lock into spitting rage

lean in flex shoulders
Why are YOU fighting? 
I know he is a good student

Tsssk 
Kiss of lips and click of toungue
looks away then at the floor

silence
few minutes more

"My father"
mutters chin on chest

I touch his shoulder
shrugs, shakes
grimaces
I hold firm
looks up
our eyes meet

quietly I reply
"I understand"
anger irritates defiance
hold firm
clamp enough for control
not to scold

slowly pained lines retreat 
and sorrow washes over
He looks down one last time

"I understand"
Grip lessens on shoulder
release
lower head to his level
bend knees 
eyes clean
"You, are not, your father, Muhammad"
....
..
.
"You are NOT your father"
...
..
.
nods
Sniffs
Shuffles feet
Speaks

"hamdallah"





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