Persian Violet Violin

Pluck an eyelash and make a wish
Play in my head with sweet strings
Take away the tears
Ahlen Violin
Play me a lullaby
As I sleep in those Arabian nights
Paint me a picture of sound to dream in
Persian Violet Violin
Give thanks to your parents that made you
Father pearl
Mother silk
The sunshine’s on you
Making us all color-blind
As we watch the light bouncing off
Your delicate design
Won’t you play me a lullaby
Save me from the quiet Arabian nights
Paint me a picture to dream in
My true love — Persian Violet Violin

– Arrgitu Osman, age 17

From the 2010 WritersCorps anthology “Paint Me a Picture to Dream In” at Ida. B. Wells High School

Poem of the Month: July 2010