Well, supposedly, your birthdate was recorded in a Koran 

and eventually someone went and registered the day, 

but I imagine you must have been a Leofor sure

fiery, and possessive. My king of the jungle

who came to America and reigned, who needed 

the adoration of his nephews, nieces, cousins, 

daughters, a family that kept sprouting 

and growing. Oh Dad, my Baba, last night I sat 

on the huge handmade rug from Tabriz that you gave us 

as a housewarming gift, playing bad daf and guitar, 

making up songs with my son. Could you hear us? 

Could you hear him dancing on the carpet? It's magic, 

they say. When you were in the hospital, he was watched 

by my sister-in-law at home. She said, at the time you stopped 

breathing, he started to talk to the carpet; 

three-year-old Dylan bending to the patterns 

of the wool rug searching for your face, Baba, and talking.

It is statistically proven, we are psychic. Abacus beads, 

worry beadsit's all the samemeasuring concerns. Move 

across the daysomehow. Move from left to right or right 

to left, Iran to New Jersey. You stepped 

on these rugs. It must matter.