Call yourself Persian?
By Roxana Samimi
November 22, 2000
The Iranian
So you call yourself Persian?
Loose threads do not constitute fabric-
A jumble of words do not tell a tale-
And drinking chai does not make you Persian.
.
So you think you are cultured?
Following memorized rules of etiquette-
Holding a few doors, kissing both cheeks hello-
Motasefahm. Actions alone cannot make you cultured.
.
So you say your reality stems from the heart?
Your phone facade, your theatrical routine-
The illusion that may fool so many-
Take your heartfelt mohebat elsewhere. I see your reality.
