Leaving Iran: My Persian diaries
Every day should be women’s day
Every day should be women’s day
After all they are our mothers, sisters and daughters
After all it’s women who raise the next generation
They sacrifice their ease and comfort
They are the glue that keeps the family united
They are strong in times of turmoil
They are compassionate and patient
What can men do to show their appreciation?
Treat them like they want to be treated
See them as equals in decision making
Support them so they can achieve their potential
Appreciate all the sacrifices they make
Acknowledge the important role
They have in educating children
Give them the attention they deserve
Listen to them when they want to talk
Treat them as equals in relationships
Respect them as partners in their lives
Happy International Women’s Day
March 8th, 2023
The answer is no!
You want me to cover my hair
I say no!
You say it’s the sign of piety
I say no!
You say it will protect me from harm
I say no!
You say otherwise I’ll excite men
I say no!
You can’t convince me to do something I don’t want to do
You don’t realize how strong I am
You have tried to put me down
But each time, you see me rise
You fear me and my courage
You should!
I am determined and won’t back down
I will continue this fight
I see you are worried and
You should be!
Women, life, liberty!
March 2023
Women, life, liberty
Girl children are being poisoned
Why?
Because they fear them
They fear the strength of their character
They fear their desire to for equality
They fear their resolve to achieve it
Why else would they poison them?
Women have shown how powerful they are
How determined they are
How fearless they are
How disruptive of the norms of the regime they are
This poisoning will only strengthen their resolve
It will bing their cause to the world
It will show the cruelty of those in power
And how low they will go to achieve their goals
The day is near that all these atrocities will come to an end
When those responsible will be prosecuted
When justice and equality will return to our land
When women, life, liberty will prevail
March 3rd, 2023
For the women and girl children of Iran
Sunday brunch
Today, I’m happy because we have brunch guests
Covid put a stop to our monthly gatherings with our friends
Even now, the effects of Covid are still there
We don’t get together as often as we used to
It’s hard to put the habits formed in three years aside
It’s hard to remember we can socialize now
Zoom and WhatsApp are great
But face to face meetings are something else
When we sit across from each other
We breathe the same air
Our presence affects our surroundings
It’s easier to feel someone else’s feelings
It’s easier to communicate love and friendship
Through coming together we can renew our energy
We can strengthen our bonds of friendship
So I’m happy we have guest today
I’m glad to be a hostess today
February 19th 2023
Good side effects
Chemo medications have side effects
So, they give you pre-medications which also has side effects
You tolerate the side effects of the pre-meds
So that you don’t have to deal with those of the actual meds
Nausea is one of the main problems of chemo
So they give you drugs to counteract that
Of course, we are grateful
But what to do with the side effects of the nausea meds?
It’s a tangled web
But one that is necessary
The best way we can remove the cancer cells from our bodies
The same medications that kill the cancer cells
Kill our hair follicles as well
But luckily, this hair loss is temporary
And the hope is that the cancer cells never come back
Our nails can get darkened due to chemo too
But there is always nail polish
Our eyebrows will get thinner
But there is eyebrow pencil to help us out
I should not forget to mention the good side effects of chemo
For weeks I haven’t needed to shave or wash my hair
February 18th, 2023
Chemo session
She is lying under her white hospital blanket, her eyes closed
She may even be asleep
She looks serene
He is on his phone
Doing something or other
The lady across from me seems to be content to just be
And not do anything
I’m listening to calming piano
Attached to my IV
Which gives me medicine that will heal me
My nurse, a big, tall lady with beautiful manicured nails
Is sitting at her desk now
Doing something on the computer
We are not allowed to have family with us
So, Albert is in the cafeteria
Having driven me here
And ready to take me home
I am grateful
I feel groggy and tired as I type this poem
Driving would not be advisable
One of the nurses is with her patient now
Looking at the device that dispenses the chemo right into our veins
Lots of buttons, telling the time and the kind of medicine being dispensed
And tubes that come out of the device everywhere
One such tube is attached to me
And I can see the drip drip of the medicine
Half an hour to go, says the timer
Five weeks of chemo done
Seven weeks to go
But I live my life
And do what I need to and want to do
At a pace I choose
February 15th, 2023
Let us breathe
What we want is an ordinary life
We don’t ask for much
Just allow us to wear what we want
What’s the harm in that?
Just allow us to speak freely
What are you afraid of?
Just allow us these normal things
Safety in the streets
Practicing our religion
Equality regardless of ethnicity
Just treat women like you treat men
This is the 21st century
The old ways of looking at the world do not work
Old rules and laws do not suit our society
What we ask for are simple things
Just let us breathe!
February 25th, 2023
What a waste of talent
What a waste of time
What a waste of talent
To confine a person with so many gifts
And why?
Because he cares about the education of the next generation
Because he cares about good morals and serving one’s community
Because he wants to spread joy and love
And for these reasons he must be confined
What an utter waste of talent and time
February 10th, 2023
For Afif Naimi who was sentenced to seven years in prison in Iran for being a Baha’i 
Your prize
The suspense is over
You got the prize
It’s seven years
Seven years of sacrifice
And as they hand you the trophy
You smile and give thanks
That you have won yet again
This is the second time
Some will say
This is not a prize
How can it be?
They can’t see the medal
The standing ovation
Or the podium you stand on
But in your heart you know
This is better than any recognition you could have got
Your face is serene
Your heart is full of love
You gladly accept this honor
And what is to come
February 8th, 2023
Dear Afif Naimi, a former member of the leadership of the Baha’i community in Iran, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after having already spent ten years there in the past.
lida's musings 