This blog post was published on November 16 2004. §
She was my English teacher
In the memory of my teacher and a fellow aid worker colleague Mrs. M. Hassan

Mrs. Hassan was my English teacher in The British Council in Baghdad in Al-Wazirya district, I remember her years ago with her Irish accent telling me it’s not Important how many words I must learn but the pronunciation of the words I already knew must be perfected.
Mrs. Hassan speak s perfect Arabic and she has a heart of gold, she’s been kidnapped today killed by (men in pajamas), turn Iraq upside down and save her find them.
I send you a decrepit flower
That nature sent to me
At parting — she was going south
And I designed to stay –
Her motive for the souvenir
If sentiment for me
Or circumstances prudential
Withheld invincibly –