In recent weeks, I’ve come to know Asher and his brother Issachar, the Bedlam Farm Comedian. They are twins from Pakistan, juniors at Bishop Maginn High School, a refuge for refugees newly arrived in America.

Asher has suffered greatly in his life, we are trying to help him get some basic needs – books, school supplies. Yesterday, I learned that Asher, on a training run learning to drive,  was pulled over the by the police and given a $200 ticket for switching lanes improperly.

He was stricken by this,  that is an awful lot of money for his family, whose income depends on their mother alone.

I know from my own experience that sudden financial setbacks can be traumatic and lasting for families who have no money. Frantic, he went to court yesterday and pleaded for a reduction in the fine – it was a minor offense, but he could only get it reduced to $150 even after telling the judge it would be a serious setback for his family.

He even cried.

I gave  him $150 out of my money, it just felt that this was the right way to do it. He protested, said it wasn’t necessary, but when pressed, conceded that it was.

Last week, Asher told me openly about some of the nights that are filled with tears. He is a gentle and reflective soul, honest and brave, I had this feeling there was a poet inside of  him. He did say he loves poetry.

With the help of Connie Brooks at the Battenkill Book Store, I bought a beautiful collection by a young poet named Jason Reynolds who writes about dreams and disappointments in a book called “Long Way Down. ”

It was, as I suspected,  the perfect book for him and he loved it. Come and hear him read from it.

I sometimes meet with young refugees like Asher, and I think they have nothing. But Asher and his brother Issachar have a lot. They love their mother, and admire her and are filled with gratitude for her heroism and devotion to them, she has saved their lives in several ways.

They want to grow up and honor her, emulate her. They are constantly on the phone with her, telling her about their days, their books, their experiences. When I hear them talking with her, it’s my turn to envy them.

When I bring Red to the classroom, Asher likes to sit and read to him, so does his brother. He is a very sweet young man, empathetic and reflective.

Asher and Issachar need somethings and I have decided to help them. If you want to contribute to this, you can via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. And thanks. Please mark the payments “Asher.”