Poem

 1 1|         uniform. Mira had. So had Burhan. But I haven’t. I could
 2 3|          Pale and worn out, I met Burhan and Mira in class. They
 3 3|         class that I whispered to Burhan,~    "I’ve decided to quit
 4 3|       quit the conservatory."~    Burhan stopped writing in the thick
 5 3|       wait another three months," Burhan advised.~    I liked Burhan.
 6 3|       Burhan advised.~    I liked Burhan. He was a sensible, level-headed
 7 3|          making a fool of myself, Burhan?" I said.~    Burhan said
 8 3|      myself, Burhan?" I said.~    Burhan said nothing. He began taking
 9 3|          and continued talking to Burhan from time to time. The professor
10 3|          me and fall in love with Burhan, if she hasn’t already.
11 3|      women. I was also furious at Burhan sitting at my side. Simmering
12 3|        the February rain. Neither Burhan nor Mira spoke. They, too,
13 3|          there’s Mr Reufi!" cried Burhan and looked at me.~    "Yes,
14 4|                             4~    Burhan and Mira accompanied me
15 4| university in mid-semester," said Burhan.~    Mira was listening
16 4|         offended at the idea that Burhan thought I would sit at home
17 4|        plants, for instance."~    Burhan stopped. He gave no sign
18 4|          I was not too pleased by Burhan’s view of my father. I do
19 4|           doesn’t have. What made Burhan think that my father wouldn’
20 4|          in a factory?~    "Look, Burhan, my father wasn’t born with
21 4|        said.~    "Sorry," replied Burhan, "What I meant was that
22 4|           she always have to take Burhan’s side?"~    I was hoping
23 4|        could be alone with Mira. "Burhan is so thick! Why doesn’t
24 4|         friend, but still..."~    Burhan seemed to understand that
25 5|           on a bench and writing. Burhan, with his pronounced jaw,
26 5|         no talent? And what about Burhan, that simpleton? You are
27 5|      music."~    "Don’t be silly! Burhan has sandals for ears. Why
28 6|          came in and told me that Burhan wanted to talk to me.~    "
29 6|    umbrella in his hand.~    "Hi, Burhan!"~    He entered slowly
30 6|            I’ve made my decision, Burhan."~    He rubbed his forehead
31 6|          leave her father alone," Burhan added.~    "What, Mira’s
32 6|          asked him to come," said Burhan.~    "Why?"~    "It’s hard
33 6|         the conservatory," stated Burhan.~    I jumped.~    "Expel
34 6|    happened?" I shouted, upset at Burhan’s composure.~    "They say
35 6|           to save you," explained Burhan.~    I jumped up angrily.~    "
36 6|        within me for a long time. Burhan listened patiently with
37 6|          him about his daughter," Burhan said. "He was devastated.
38 6|       home. What do you say?"~    Burhan studied me, waiting for
39 6|         what do we do?" I said to Burhan.~    He was silent.~    
40 6|       anyone criticize my father. Burhan was my friend but I would
41 6|          my father. Yet of course Burhan was right. It must have
42 6|     influence. But I did not want Burhan to discover the full truth.~    "
43 6|          full truth.~    "Listen, Burhan. My father wouldn’t do a
44 6|       such depths, I wondered, as Burhan, wise, kind Burhan, sat
45 6|   wondered, as Burhan, wise, kind Burhan, sat in front of me.~    "
46 6|      capable of doing it..." said Burhan thoughtfully.~    "Why are
47 6|          I replied evasively.~    Burhan rose to his feet.~    "Don’
48 7|              I never caught up to Burhan. I took a bus going towards
49 8|            My mother told me that Burhan had been looking for me