A Triangle of Blue Material
A triangle of blue material
Disappears behind an Afghan building
And it seems to whisper your name
As it drifts further away,
Taking with it your friendship
But leaving my blame
I hear it again in the whispers
Of the kites that drift by me—
In every judgmental hiss
Of the wind in the tails
Of bird-like reminders
Floating In liberated bliss
Hassssan, comes the hiss
Hassssan, say the kites
It's the slap in the face
It's the justice-hungry rant
It's the enraged yell
That I wish so badly was misplaced.
I have a friend who's disappeared
And guilt to take his place
I have no one to run my kite
And no reason to win anyway
Though I should be afraid of guilt
I just can't put up a fight.
I wish I could have said I'm sorry
I wish all those years ago
On that dark and rainy day
That I had run out to the car
And called you "jan"
And made you stay.
But now I stand, since all I did is wish,
And watch a triangle of blue material
Attached to a string
—a simple invention we never got right—
Float away and hiss your name.
I see its judgment, I hear its blame, I feel its sting.
And I wish that I had called you "jan."
And I wish that I had made you stay.
