Archive | October 2022
Hear me roar
I am woman, hear me roar
Hear me cry out with the pent of anger of years
Hear me shout the anthem of freedom
Hear me voice my grievances
It’s been long enough
And I’m tired of being told who I should be
I am woman, hear me roar
With the courage of a lioness
Prepared to fight for her home
Prepared to protect her kin
With fervour and ferocity
I am woman, hear me roar
Don’t expect me to be quiet any longer
Don’t try to control me because it does not work
A sense of justice has been awakened with in me
Which can set fire to injustice and brutality
I am woman, hear me roar
I am stronger than you think
When I want to defend my rights
I am an opponent you should fear
I am a woman hear me roar:
Woman, life, liberty!
October 15th, 2022
Looking ahead
It is a grey fall day
The trees are wearing their yellow frocks
Some are not wearing clothes any longer
They must be shivering in the autumn cold
As I look at our back yard
And contemplate this fall day
I’m transported to next spring
when flowers will blossom again
When the trees will wear their green garb
When the butterflies will look for beautiful flowers to hover around
When the sun will shine bright
And then I think to myself
We have to go through winter first
Days will become darker and colder
Snow will cover the ground
Nothing will seem to be alive any longer
The north wind will blow
And a chill will descend on the land
But those dreary days will pass
And spring will arrive
And we can celebrate the return of joy
We can dance in the streets
We can sing at the top of our lungs
Because it will have been a long winter
And a very well deserved spring
October 14th, 2022
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Wildfire
The events are happening so fast
Yet painfully slow
Because each day people are being arrested, injured and killed
Each day families don’t know where their loved ones are
Each day they worry for their safety
We are in the middle of a revolution
It’s gone past demonstrations
It’s gone past demands
It’s a revolution a long time in coming
There were demonstrations in the past
People made demands
They were arrested and jailed
And things seemed to go back to normal
But under that illusive normal, embers were burning
The rage continued
The discontent continued
It seemed to have been controlled
But it would irrupt again
Once again victory would seem within their grasp
Yet again they would face the wrath of those in power
And the fire would die down
But the embers were burning
This time the fire has spread far and wide
It’s a wildfire that is out of control
Yes, they are trying to put the fire out
But this time it’s different
A people has risen up
And won’t stop till they achieve their goal
October 13th, 2022
Every woman
She was every woman
She could be me
She could be you
She was not political
She was a visitor, a guest
Is that how one treats a guest?
Is that how one treats a sister or a mother?
She was every woman
And she was killed senselessly
She was killed in a most cruel manner
She was killed with a lot of anger
Why?
Because she was a woman
And did not closely follow the unreasonable dictates of the regime
She was every woman
And she was killed brutally
She awakened again the anger that was smouldering for years
She brought them into the streets
Demanding freedom, equality, a normal life
And a future they could look forward to
She was every woman
And she will be remembered in history
As one whose death started a revolution
October 13, 2022
Extraordinary times
These are extraordinary times
These are days of solidarity
When people put their lives on the line
For freedom of thought
For dignity
For truthfulness
For Justice
For equality
These are unprecedented times
When young and old are united
And speak with one voice
These are terrible times
When young people and children are sacrificed to uphold an ideology
The price they are paying is very high
The grief their parents and their supporters feel is immense
But their blood will water the plant of freedom
These are hopeful times
Because a nation has come together
Discovered the power there is in unity
And is marching on a path that leads to freedom
These are important times
The world has heard the cry of the people of Iran
And is arising in solidarity and protesting in the streets
To ensure the freedom of the people of this land
These are formative times
A new system based on respect for all
Based on diversity of thought and belief
Based on fundamental human rights
Is being forged
These are extraordinary times
Women are in the forefront of change
Their valour is on display
They are tired of the status quo
They are the freedom fighters of today
October 12, 2022
Never lose hope
It’s been years that I’ve been wondering when will freedom return to Iran
When will women be able to choose how they dress themselves
When can they freely and without fear walk in the streets
When will they not be considered the weaker sex
When will their contributions to society inside and outside the home will be celebrated
When can they bike and swim and sing and dance
When can they be the voice of half of their communities
It’s been years
I’ve hoped
And then my hopes were dashed
Then a glimmering of a dawn
Before darkness enveloped that land
It’s been years
And I’ve thought to myself sometimes
I will return to Iran one day
But that day wearing the headscarf will no longer be mandatory
Women will show their lovely hair
And laugh and sing with joy about the freedom that has been so long in coming
October 11th, 2022
The sun is rising
It’s an explosion of pent up anger
It’s a cry from deep within their souls
It’s having been controlled for years
And now smelling the sweet scent of freedom
It’s wonderful
It’s inspiring
It’s the dawn of a new day
The sun is rising and cannot be stopped
It’s the energy of youth
Their desire for change
Their confidence in what they can do
It’s solidarity
People from all walks of life
Young, old, poor and wealthy
Women, men, artists and athletes
Their march to freedom gathers momentum every day
People around the world send their well wishes
Women cut their hair in the memory of Mahsa
And so many young lives that were sacrificed
It’s a new dawn
A new day
And the future looks bright
October 9th, 2022
My heart aches
My heart aches for the people of Iran
For the young boys and girls in the streets
Who sacrifice their freedom and sometimes their lives
Standing up for what they believe in
Their hearts are on fire
Their rage against injustice fuels their actions
They know their rights
They know they are deprived of them
And they can no longer stay quiet
It breaks my heart that speaking up for their rights
Can lead to their death in my country of birth
That these young lives are snuffed out so cruelly and easily
As if their existence matters not
I feel deeply for the values they are fighting for
Covering one’s hair is not a sign of modesty
Why should women hide their beautiful hair from view?
All the excuses that are given are just that, excuses
Behind these dictates are the desire to subjugate women
And these things are as clear as daylight to the youth of Iran
These brave girls who die for lighting their head scarves on fire
Will be remembered long into the future
Their lives will be celebrated and their courage will be lauded
Years after those who jailed them or killed them are gone and forgotten
October 10th, 2022
lida's musings 