poetry In Breath / Out Breath

Iranian-American poet Esther Kamkar has lived in both Iran and Israel. Rather than split herself in two, she strives to knit her warring halves together.

Esther Kamkar
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Esther Kamkar

On the occasion of your next 
full breath think of Gaza.
        -- B. Beausoleil

As the screaming missiles
line the sky with fonts of war
I take full breaths:

Breathing in Gaza City
Breathing out Tehran

In   Rafah
Out   Haifa

Breathing in Tel Aviv
Breathing out Khan Younis

In   Jerusalem
Out   Isfahan

Breathing in Rasht
Breathing out Gaza Strip

In    Iran
Out   Israel

In the atmosphere of grief and astonishment
I insist on breathing deeply

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Wishing away the air-sucking
monster in my throat

Waiting for a stutter 
to interrupt the script

 the certainty of war
Waiting for a crack
 

Esther Kamkar was born in Tehran, Iran and lived in Jerusalem for seven years before emigrating to the United States. She lives and writes in California. You can find more information at www.estherkamkar.com.