David Vancil

Tipton Poetry Journal – Spring 2021

My Name is Durward

David Vancil

for Diba Azizi

Diba told me that in Afghanistan, my name would be Durward. She didn’t say if it was in Pashto, Dari, or some other tongue. She longed to return to Kabul, she admitted.

I studied her reddened lips and noted how blue jeans hugged her frame, and I was afraid. “Promise me, Diba, you’ll wait until it’s safe—wait for the Taliban to be defeated.”

Diba introduced me to her intended. Rumor had it he was in the PLO and wanted to do battle. I did not think him wise, nor did I think him good.

“I’ll tap you on the shoulder someday,” Diba said, “I promise we’ll meet again.

I have dreamed scenarios of Diba. She wears a gun on her hip. A scarf swaddles her face. I stare into her eyes.

Diba invites me in to drink hot tea. Diba introduces me to her small children. She has named one of them Durward.

David Vancil has lived in Terre Haute, Indiana for over 30 years, but has been writing much longer. As an Army brat, he lived in many different places and enjoyed many cultures but identifies most strongly with his Midwestern roots.