Archive | September 2022

Only my pen

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You are on the streets

Demanding your rights

Demonstrating for equality

Jeopardizing your life

I only have my pen

And with my pen

I will sing your praises

I will applaud your courage

I will celebrate valour 

You are heroines raising your voices

Voices that are being heard around the world

You are sacrificing your safety

Risking arrest and imprisonment

Even death

I only have my pen

And with my pen

I will ask others to pay attention to your cause

To demand justice and cry out your names

In great assemblies

So we can honor the memory of all the Mahsa Aminis of Iran

I only have my pen

 

September 30th, 2022

You are victorious


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The women of Iran have experienced injustice for so many years

They have been subjugated for decades

Their rights have been trampled upon

Their attire has been dictated to them

No rhyme, no reason

Actually, they have been told they will arouse men

With their uncovered hair and bare ankles

They will promote immortality and indecency 

This is the height of ignorance

A great excuse for controlling women’s lives

These women have arisen to defend their rights

Their right to a peaceful existence

Their right to not be beaten and arrested

For not covering their hair in public

Their right to be treated as equals

Young women’s courage is on display

Their idealism 

Their fearlessness

Their anger built up over the years

The sheer force of their conviction

Their disdain of injustice

They are tired of lies and excuses

They are tired of being told what to do

They want to live a peaceful existence

Be joyful and dance and celebrate life

These young women are our heroines

To them we owe a debt of gratitude

And to those who support them wholeheartedly

And come to their aid and assistance

To those who broadcast their plight

To those who cut their hair in protest and

To those who sing their song of freedom

You will be victorious! You already are!

September 29th, 2022

Freedom fighters

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My brain needs a break

From the bad news, the good news

All the emotions that they evoke

All the expectations and hopes

But they don’t get a break

They are in the streets everyday

They are sending their videos every night

They cannot afford to rest or take a break

The work of a freedom fighter is not for the faint of heart

They sacrifice, they get injured, they get arrested

They raise their voices for change

I can take a break here from the news

When it becomes overwhelming 

But they can’t 

My hat is off to them

September 28th, 2022

Change is long overdue

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Glimmerings of hope

The dawn is near

The birds are signing the song of freedom

Darkness is on its way out

The bravery of the youth

The determination of women

Is awe inspiring 

They have conquered the streets

This time it’s different

The support of artists and athletes

Demonstrations of Iranians in other countries

Strikes by universities

People’s solidarity

Strengthen the movement 

Their cry for equality and freedom

Can be heard all around the world

They have justice on their side

They are paying a heavy price

They are sacrificing their lives

We wish them well

We wish them success

Change is long overdue

September 27th, 2022

Sun of Justice

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The difference is conviction

The difference is ardour and being on the side of justice

The difference is they are not obeying anyone

This is their fight

They are the soldiers and the generals

A fire has been lit for freedom

Its flames are growing everyday

The winds of opposition only cause it to spread

You can’t control a wildfire

The energy of youth

Youth who are tired of lies 

Youth who know their rights are being trampled on

Youth who feel they have nothing to lose

This energy feeds the fire

Injustice can prevail for a while

It can maintain its strong grip on power for some time

But those who are tired of corruption and empty promises

Those who long for freedom and equality

They can only be suppressed so long

The night of oppression is dark

But we can see the glimpses of the dawn

A dawn that will come because of the sacrifices being made

A dawn that will have its price

But soon will the sun of justice shine
For the brave people of Iran

September 26th, 2022

The point of no return

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I see people persisting and persevering

I hear their cries

Asking for freedom

Asking for equality

Asking for justice

I see people paying a price

With bullets in their bodies

With their bruises and injuries

With being intimidated and arrested

I see people’s bravery

Women removing their headscarves

The symbol of subservience

When not their choice

Men standing with women

Boys and girls arising

I see Iranians outside Iran

Supporting their bothers and sisters

Worrying for their safely

Admiring their courage

Praying for their well being

I wonder how long those in Iran have to

Put their lives on the line?

When will other compatriots join them and support them?

When will government agents stop hitting

And  sometimes killing their own people?

Their own brothers and sisters?

Their own compatriots?

When will this talisman break?

When will this darkness give way to light?

When will the people’s wishes for justice materialize?

The future is bright

But the path is to freedom

Is paved with blood and sacrifice and

Unity is the hallmark of victory

We are reaching a point of no return

Can this nightmare be coming to an end?

September 25th, 2022

For the brave women and men of Iran

Wolves

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Wolves in sheep’s clothing 

Serenely spearing utter falsehoods

Wolves in sheep’s clothing

Attacking innocent people

Wolves in sheep’s clothing 

People’s eyes have been opened 

And they see through your disguise 

Wolves in sheep’s clothing 

Your days are now numbered 

September 23rd, 2022

For the freedom fighters of Iran

I see you victorious

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Women

We hear your voices now

Women

You who have been mistreated

Women

We stand behind you

Because your cause is our cause and

Your freedom, our freedom

Women

Wronged for so many years

Women

Restricted 

Women

The world sees you in the streets

The world sees you burning your scarves 

The world sees men also fighting for your rights

At issue

A dress code that has been imposed on you

A dress code that you have fought till now

A dress code that has nothing to do with modesty

A dress code for which you have been arrested and harmed

At issue

Equality in all areas

At issue

Your dignity being respected 

At issue

Your right to freedom

Courageous women 

I see your hair flowing in the wind

I see your clothes being your choice

I see your future as bright 

I see you triumphant and your cause victorious

September 22, 2022

For the women of Iran

Depression is a cave

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Depression is vast cave

The things one need for navigation are absent

There is no light

The path is not clear

You can fall at any moment over the obstacles on the path

You doesn’t know how long it will take

To get to the opening of the cave

There is so much uncertainty and you feel powerless

You take a few steps the best way you can

Not sure if you are going in the right direction

And the darkness is perpetual

No respite

Physical illnesses

Are like hiking through a dense forest 

The hike is challenging and requires stamina and will power

But at least you can tell where to put the next step

At least you can sing at the top of your lungs to pass the time

There may be a clearing here or there 

And you can be cheered by the rays of the sun

There are things that are unknown

But you have a map to navigate the path

You know how long the hike could be

There is discomfort

There is fatigue 

But one has the will power to push through

Depression is a cave

September 20th, 2022

Tears of sorrow

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Tears run down the cheeks of the world

Her brow is knotted with anguish

Another injustice 

This time against a young woman who was innocent

Why did she have to die?

How long will these tribulations last?

When will equality and justice return?

When will the pain that is felt be alleviated?

When will joy return?

I think the road ahead is long

Change doesn’t happen over night

But we must keep our hopes up

We must march on despite the trials

We must focus on the good that is happening

Work for the betterment of our community

Collaborate with like minded people

And stay steadfast until freedom is achieved 

September 18th, 2022

Remembering Mahsa Amini