Persian Morsels
in Dubai

by Farrah Sarafa | 2009

Hamburger buns sink
Into her desire
To fit into rose,

Persian, purple rose
Platter of fresh-basil
Pomegranate seeds

Mint stems near feta
Triangles, she sits
Ornamenting lies

Dubai "resort" ones
Where muddied rivers are
Carved into stone,

And cranes get their fill
From endlessly building
Towers and hotels,

Intersecting lusts
Culture fabrication
Arab-Indian

Mixes of fashion food-
Music, rhythm and dance
I don't get to see

Because industry
And high development
Are priority

Unfortunately
I choose to escape
Meticulously

To Iranian
Sound and sight by flavor,
Nuanced color and

Exoticism
A mild distraction
made Arabic-lemon,

Chick-pea and olives
This bordering nation
Inspires savor

On levels beyond
What she'd seen until now—
Saffron ice cream

Pistachio soup
Caramelized onion,
Dried yogurt spinach

This place protects her
From disgraceful meat plates
And French-fried oil crates

Next door, she moves
To the truth of Iran
Garden taste delight,

Sensations beyond sight
Or history lessons
She's become a piece

Of real tradition
Dubai hardly preserves
Other than by lie

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