Cape Town

"Joy,

joy of the Lord

tell me about you."

"I was a product of post-colonialism 

born in the midst of a culture gap. 

slave ancestors

free souls.

parents

in the midst of a revolution

fed with the ideology of apartheid. 

immigrants at home

immigrants here

unwanted there

unwanted here

born and raised in Cape Town 

moved to Sweden 6 years ago

to the south feeling down. 

yesterday

my story was like Disgrace

today

I’m a product of grace.

He put me in a higher place

you can see the joy on my face

I know you know I’m running the race." 

"you’re a student in this city, right?"

"yes, a nurse

maybe soon dental.

living in a student apartment

rental.

came to church one day

accidental

learned about God

fundamental.

what about you, Dave?"

I’m the product of a forceful regime

a mixture of religious laws and corruption 

a mixture of force and pain

a mixture of Animal Farm and 1984.

born and raised in Tehran

a survivor of the claws of fascism

an exile in the arms of Socialism

between bad and worse

I chose bad

and in the midst of being broken and sad

I met God

or better said

He met me and called me his son

that’s why I’m thankful to the Most High." 

"Dave,

after all this

you’re still an optimist

there is something different about you

that I can’t resist."

"can I invite you for a coffee?" 

"no coffee, please.

but tea sounds good."