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
Copyright ©
L Milton Hankins
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