Stricken immediately by her natural beauty.
Initially inattentive to his Uncle's duty.
Ministry of Finance visits soon became more preferential.
Increasingly personally essential.
No longer just doing his Uncle's work.

Financial contact with her he would then no longer shirk.
All personal visits by his Uncle prohibited.
Some private interests were not to be exhibited.
How to end his intimate plight?
Agonizing night after night!
Nocturnal urgent transfer to Beijing -
Destroyed any remaining illusions that spring.
Always his Uncle's pawn -
Knowledge of her by the Chief of Station had him withdrawn -
Interests of his Uncle long ago did not include the lady in Tehran!

w
h
o
?
Remembering Howard Conklin Baskerville

Hubert Wilson

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lady-in-tehran/