To My American Friend with Love | The Poetry of Nesreen Melek |Axisoflogic.com

Editor's Note: Nesreen Melek is an Iraqi woman, currently living in Canada. Her generosity and compassion can be seen in her words below. Would that all Americans had her capacity to recognize that we are all one people, Iraqi, American and from every other country - that we all suffer when any one of us suffers, that we each lose a child when any one of us loses a child, that we all die when any one of us dies. We thank Nesreen for this gift to Axis readers. - Eds.

To My American Friend with Love

In a time when I thought all American men are without heart, you proved to me there are still some with one.

In a time when I heard the screams of women, kids and elderly coming from far away pleading for help, you told me you could hear it too.

In a time when I felt helpless watching my country being destroyed because of big lies, you told me it breaks your heart too.

In a time when I discovered they were there for the oil and not for the people, you told me you could see it the same way too.

In a time when I read the horror stories about my country and couldn't sleep, you soothed me and told me it bothered you too.

In a time when I watched them shooting wounded people, you understood why I couldn't forgive them and you told me you wouldn�t forgive them too.

In a time when I saw them torturing, raping and kicking my people's heads with their boots, I felt embarrassed, you told me that they were doing it by your name and you're ashamed of their doings too.

In a time when I thought American people are arrogant and selfish, you made me feel not all of them are and they do have feelings too.

In a time when I thought our Allah is different from your Jesus, you were puzzled but you told me there is no difference between the two.

In a time when I thought your people are murderers, you proved to me that not all of them are and they do have heart too.

In a time when I thought there would be no future to my country, you told me there would be no future to yours and eventually killers will pay the price too.

In a time when I felt down, you proved to me that there is a friend who cares and that's why I believe in you.

In a time when I felt that we couldn't change the world, you proved to me that we could if we put our hands and hearts together and this is what we all have to do.