Physical violence won’t subdue the spirit of these freedom fighters
The wounds they suffer will not weaken their resolve
Their spirits are strong
You can pummel their flesh
You can shoot their bodies
But their spirits are strong
They will rise again stronger this time
November 4th, 2022
The fervour of these youth
The anger of these youth
Their fists raised in the air
Their hearts full of hope
These youth are speaking up for freedom
They are tired of being told lies
They want a different future
And they are sacrificing their lives
The passion of these youth
Throwing away their scarves
Showing what was hidden
For years now
These youth are being arrested
They are dying
Because they want a different life
Because they are no longer afraid to speak up
I’m proud of these youth
I honor their cause
I stand with them
Until there is freedom
I’m not paying a price with my life
Or with my imprisonment
I can only speak up with my pen
With my fists in the air
I’m awe-struck by the bravery of these youth
Climbing walls without headscarves
October 19th, 2022
The hallmark of this movement is unity
Unity between the university students and their professors
Unity between the Turk and Lor and Bakhtyari
Unity between the less fortunate and the affluent
Unity between workers and society
Unity among the students in high schools
Unity among the people marching in the streets
Unity among young and old
Unity among all strata of society
This is unprecedented in Iran
This revolution has a beating heart
That of valiant women and girl children
This revolution has strategy
Creative ways in expressing their demands
This revolution has momentum
It’s a movement that cannot be stopped
The dam has broken and it can’t be shut
I salut the women and girls of Iran
I salut the university students and professors
I salut the workers who are on strike
I salut the business people who close their shops
I salut their cries for equality
I salut their courage which is awe-inspiring
I salut their perseverance and steadfastness
I salut the audacity of those who walk around without their head scarves
This road may be long
Many lives are being sacrificed
Many are spending their time in captivity
But there is no turning back
The world is watching in admiration
And I pray and hope that the dawn is nigh
October 18th, 2022
You say I should cover my hair and body
So I don’t tempt men
I say men should be and are stronger than that
You say the headscarf is a sign of modesty
I say it’s a means of control
You say dancing excites the other sex
I say dancing brings joy into my life
You say women’s singing voice shouldn’t be heard
I say you are depriving society of so much
You say women are the weaker sex
And they need protection
I say you haven’t seen what we are capable of
You say the place of women is at home
I say society needs our contribution
You hit, and arrest and try to torture women into submission
I say this cruelty is much worse than what you consider immodesty
You do these things in the name of religion
I say religion is for peace
You fear women it seems
And you should because women are strong and courageous
And will fight for their equality like lionesses till they achieve their goal
October 17th, 2022
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
The watchword of this movement is solidarity
Solidarity among those who have been wronged
Solidarity among those whose freedom has been robbed
Solidarity among men and women
Solidarity among old and young
Solidarity among Kurd and Lur and Bakhtyari
Solidarity among those who live throughout Iran
People are speaking with one voice
Women and the youth are leading the way
They are trying to silence their voices
With brutality and cruelty, senseless
But this is a giant that has been awakened
It’s impossible to tie her down
All the efforts to quell this fire
Will lead to it further spreading far and wide
The world is witnessing these events
They are hearing the cry of freedom
Women across the world are cutting their hair
In solidarity with the women of Iran
These women are lionesses who won’t back down
They are aware of their own power and will persist
The day is coming that they will celebrate victory
Sadly the price they are paying is very high
October 6th, 2022
We are considered weak by some
Defective, strange and to be avoided by others
It looks like we don’t try hard enough and
Don’t have the determination to beat our condition
Whereas to not give up hope
During the dark days of depression
Requires a herculean effort
As well as the support of family and friends
To get up each day knowing that a struggle is ahead
And march on anyway
To endure the pain of depression
A pain that cuts deep
To reach out to others
When all we want to do is isolate ourselves further
To pursue treatment that is not one size fits all
And to smile from time to time
And carry on with our responsibilities and obligations
These are qualities of a courageous, patient and determined person
Who doesn’t give up despite the challenges she faces
For days and sometimes months on end
So please don’t think we are weak
Have compassion for us
And be part of the group of people
Who help reduce the stigma
December 15th, 2019
Courage comes in many forms
Courage to endure
Courage to stand for one’s principles
Courage to stand out
Courage to be an agent of change
Courage to explore and try something new
Courage to be vulnerable
Courage is telling the truth when it’s not convenient
May 28th, 2019
You need to extend a hand
Before someone takes your hand
There is risk involved
Courage is required
But almost always
If the intention is right
People are waiting for an extended hand
The barriers are mostly in our own minds
We create them and give them shape
Our insecurities get in the way
Most often, kindness begets kindness
A smile is returned with a smile
And beautiful connections are made
Because someone took the first step
And reached out
July 22nd 2016
We can play it safe and follow the status quo
Or we can live based on principle and stand out
The courage to question the norm
When the norm seems unfair
The courage to stand for friendship and justice
The courage to defend a fellow man or woman
This kind of courage is admirable anywhere
What’s unfair is unfair
No matter how much the truth is twisted and turned
In the age of instant communication
It’s harder to convince people of whatever one wants
Those old ways don’t work anymore
Soon, what’s been hidden will come to fore
May we have the courage to stand
For what’s true and fair
May we break our silence when we see injustice
There was a time propaganda would work
But now everyone is looking for proof
To all those who stand for truth
I salute you, I honour you!
May 16th, 2016
lida's musings 