A Poem

 

My first poem in English:

“Be Warned” [Red Hat Blue Shoes] 

Inspired by Jenny Joseph’s poem “Be Warned.” 

Yes, I am forty-something

and I match blue shoes

with a red hat and a red dress

 Some say I am “too old” to learn new things

But I do it anyway

I dance, bang on drums

Hop on motorcycles

Go hiking at night

 

Yes, I am “crazy.”

I travel alone and go to concerts.

Maybe I should thank

All the people who said

“You should” and “shouldn’t.”

I want to celebrate life

Celebrate the unfinished lives

Of my friends who died young

 

So, my friends

Let’s celebrate life

wear a red hat with blue shoes

Bang on a drum and dance!

May 21, 2005

Don’t Try to Change Me

Be careful brother

I am not a girl anymore

Stop labeling me

Marxist, liberal, leftist

 

Be careful darling

I am mad like a woman

not like a little girl

I am a feminist

 

I was not born with anger

Boys playing with my nerves

You can't do it, girl

Made me mad and powerful

 

Laugh at me one more time

Be sarcastic again

Awaken the beast in me

I am an angry feminist!

 

July 20, 2020

Cousin Melody

 Cousin Melody 

Melody and Liam, December 31, 2018

October 25, 2022

Melody was born with a heart defect

Yet she has a kind heart 

Hospitals, oxygens, surgeries

I am thankful for healthcare workers

Melody was our Mozak 

The Mosquito who cried and smiled

She played with her cat

I am thankful for her joy 

 

Melody was born on October 31

Iran’s Prince’s birthday

Trick-or-treat give candies

I am thankful for her celebrations

Melody was born as the director’s niece

Legendary filmmaker Samvel Khachikian 

Iranian actors donated blood for Melo

I am thankful for compassionate artists

Melody was born with health issues

British doctors gave up hope

Miraculous surgery took place in Tehran

I am thankful for resilient doctors

Melody was born with a golden heart

Rescued dogs and pampered them

Animals sensed her kindness

I am thankful for her passion

Melody was born to become a mom

Liam was a heavenly gift

Mom and son play with their dogs

I am thankful for her motherhood

Melody was born with challenges

She played, danced, and sang 

Overcame judgments and thrived

I am thankful for her spirit 

February 7, 2024

My Brother Vazrik

 To My Baby Brother Vazrik

I miss walking you to school

Left home when you were only five

Unknown beginning for me in the new land

Culture shock or noticing differences

I miss kissing you as a baby

Hugged my pillow and cried

Holding you on my lap like a doll

The warmth of your little legs 

I miss dressing you up as a toddler

Your socks and sandals were my toys

Mini shirt with matching pants

You were a mini gentleman

I miss telling you stories with expressions

Your face changed listening to me

An active and engaged listener

You became a theatre actor later 

I miss playing sad music cassettes  

You cried but stopped when I changed it

Such an observant little boy 

Noticed my hair and dresses

I miss hugging you and kissing your cheeks

Your long golden hair and cute nose

Kissed your pictures caressing your hair

Wished to be a Super Woman to fly home 

I miss walking you to the market

It took me four years to return 

You were in third grade in May 1981

We walked hopped and talked 

I miss watching you play

You grilled corn in the backyard

Sold them to relatives 

Started the salesmanship at five

I miss dancing with you 

Returned when you turned eighteen

Loved your shirt and suspenders

Hopped on your motorcycle and screamed

I miss telling you stories

You listened and smiled 

We met in Amsterdam 

Walked and talked and cried

I miss listening to your songs

We met in Glendale in 1996

You are the kindest car salesman

My Baby Brother Love you 

February 6, 2024

Lusik and Mona 

From left: Andranik, Varvara, Lusik, Levon, Sookias Kurkjian, and Hacop in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Horkour Lusik

Aunt Lucia was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine.  Dad’s family spoke Russian at home. 

She was a self-made woman and spoke several languages.

Lucia gave light like the full moon

Her Greek mother’s nose and skin

The Ukrainian red hair changed to black

Some thought she was a Spaniard 

Lusik had Aphrodite and Venus 

Shined like a pearl among silvers

Had a unique face in Tehran 

A naturally fit body turning heads

Lucy spread love and joy

Too attractive to stay home

She left to get married young

He didn’t treasure the queen

Lucia could not return home

Shame and cultural pressures

Endured pain became resilient

Finally decided to leave him

Lusik married the Saudi ambassador

She deserved a new life

Armenian past, Russian worrying 

Traveled and learned languages

Lucy cared and worried

Her mom’s superstitions 

The evil eye and the black cat

Limiting joy and happiness

Lucia traveled with her daughter

Mona returned from Europe with dolls

Loved watching them at the airport

Coming down the stairs like royalty

Lusik shined like the moon

She was generous yet worried

Finally, we talked as women

Loved her stories. I understood!

Lucy, the queen of worrying

The Goddess of love and joy

She was brave, like Athena 

The eagle who soared to freedom

Lusik Horkour spread her wings 

Inspired Self-education and improvement

Etiquette, respect for everyone

A multicultural traveler, my role model!

February 4, 2024

 

Aunt Hasmik Was Brave

Hasmik with her son, Rafi. 

Hasmik Morkour 

My aunt who died at the age of 36

You were a bird in a black cage

Married too young to escape home

Wanted to learn and work

Shame on women who wanted to work

You were a kitten who needed love

Acting like a protective jaguar

Wanted to leap and run

Shame on women who wanted freedom

You were a penguin waiting patiently

Waiting for the Emperor to help 

Wanted to give love and protection

Shame on women who couldn’t handle all

You were the Homa bird 

Iran Air gave you wings

Wanted to travel and explore

Shame on women who travel

You were my young aunt 

Mom’s baby sister full of life

Wanted to empower your nieces

Shame on women who encourage education

You were the strong swan

Happy and filled with sorrow

Wanted a new life 

Shame on women who want divorce

You were a small elephant

Comforting your friends and sisters

Wanted to give love and joy

Shame on women who are happy

You were my phoenix

Changing women’s lives

Wanted life but left soon

Shame on them for pushing you

February 4, 2025