I am thinking of migrating
shirin tabibzadeh
 
Hurray, I live in the land of
Freedom, Opportunity, and Justice
the land of
Plenty, Progress, and Peace.
 
The land of
Washington,
Jefferson, 
And especially
Abraham Lincoln,
The savior of a people
Whose offspring, rules the world
And is naively,
in a subtle way,
-The reign of terror in my homeland-
Almost ready to condone.
 
After thirty some years
Living here in exile,
I now realize,
Their human rights claims
Are a double standard,
And an insult 
to my intelligence.
 
*****
Hmmmmmm, I am thinking of migrating
But really where to?
 
Perhaps to the land of
John Locke,
"The most influential
Enlightenment thinker,"
So justly revered.
Then I remember I was told
Their signature is engraved
Under the mullas's beard!
 
How about the land of
Voltaire, 
The humanist,
And 
"The Age of Enlightenment Patriarch?"
The avid advocate of 
freedom of religion,
Freedom of speech,
And the separation of
Church and state.
 
The land of
"Liberte', Egalite', et Fraternite'."
 
Then I remember neauphle-le-chateau,
The apple tree, 
And the Bloody Black Bundle,
Sitting there cunningly,
Weaving a noose
         To hang my people
         Alas, mostly In their youth.
 
 
How about.....?'
 
How about.....?
................
................
 
Well, I am thinking Kathmandu.
 
September 2013