L Milton Hankins Poet Narrative

Five Iranian Friends

Many years ago when I was a traveling salesman,
I met five post-graduate engineering students from Iran…
     educated,
     intelligent, and
     entrepreneurial.
They pooled their resources and leased a restaurant.

On another occasion, since
Columbia is a small town, and I could find no lodging,
My Iranian friends invited me to spend the night
With them at their apartment, and so I did.
They even prepared my breakfast for me—no charge!

They shared that they hoped to stay in America
Because Iran, at that time, was a very dangerous place.
They said the Ayatollah would kill them
If they returned to their homeland because they were
     educated,
     intelligent, and
     entrepreneurial.

A few months later I returned to Columbia
To discover the five Iranian students’ restaurant
Was closed. Their green cards had expired, and
Immigration Authorities had arrested them.

Later, I learned that they had been deported to Iran,
Where the Ayatollah Khomeini declared they were traitors,
And, summarily, cut off their heads!

Ever since, I have had a soft spot in my heart
For the young people of Iran,
     educated,
     intelligent, and
     entrepreneurial,
Living in constant fear for their lives.

written July 29, 2021

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Caren Krutsinger July 31, 2021 at 7:09 PM This is incredibly sad; it made me feel horrible. So sad. I am sorry that this happened to these five. Thank you for sharing. L Milton Hankins July 31, 2021 at 7:15 PM True story. That was many, many years ago, and it still breaks my heart that these guys, who were so kind to me, were brutally murdered because they got an education and only wanted to have a good life in America!

Gershon Wolf July 29, 2021 at 5:57 PM The people of Iran were, by and large, so different from those #@#&^% Mullahs and Ayatollahs. Unfortunately, the Shah was so corrupt that he left an opening for the Mullahs to seize. And now, those who 'lean west' are completely outgunned. Do not vacation in Iran! Tell your relatives... Great write, by the way. ~ Gershon L Milton Hankins July 29, 2021 at 6:31 PM That is so correct, gw. But, as I have stated many times, leaders start wars, then require the lowest of their citizenry to fight and die in them. Such injustice! Please do NOT ask me for examples....

Regina Mcintosh July 29, 2021 at 4:02 PM This is shocking and heartwrenching... SO SO sad and such a powerful write. God bless you always and prayers for them all. Love, Gina L Milton Hankins July 29, 2021 at 6:35 PM Thank you so much, Gina. This is a true situation. They were really neat guys. I have often wondered if the immigration authorities would have sent them back if they had known...but, surely they did know...so they were somehow complicit in the deaths of these fine young men. Is the same thing happening on our southern borders? No response necessary....

Tom Cunningham July 29, 2021 at 12:24 PM These regimes are just pure evil, North Korea another one. What a terrible tragedy for those poor students, nothing will change until the people rise up against them but you're right, they're in fear of their lives and they usually punish their whole families to send out a message if anyone dares to speak out. Tom L Milton Hankins July 29, 2021 at 3:48 PM Thanks for your heartfelt sentiments. So true. Sad, but there are some truly evil regimes in the world.

Ilene Bauer July 29, 2021 at 11:45 AM such a touching and sad story, milton! you've given them a well-deserved tribute in your poem... L Milton Hankins July 29, 2021 at 3:49 PM Thanks, Ilene. It's a true story, and they were terrific guys. It is so sad that our country sent them back to their sure death in such a cruel fashion.