Tag Archive | hope

Marathon

Nov6

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It’s a marathon

Sometimes a bloody one unfortunately

Sacrifices are being made with lives lost or imprisonment

But the energy of the youth propelling this movement is endless

Their idealism and hope for change fuels their cause

They want better lives

They are done with the status quo

They plan and organize 

They march and they chant

And they cannot be beaten into submission

These youth have attracted the attention of the world

People in Germany, UK, Sweden and South America

Have heard their anthem of freedom

Artists are singing their song

The world is watching

Persians overseas and others are walking with the people of Iran

This is a just cause

The demands are simple: woman, life, freedom!

November 6th, 2022

Hear me roar

Oct15

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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

Extraordinary times

Oct12

E56F3692-CF78-43D7-B9FA-A14F88135C97These 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

Oct11

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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

Angel of hope

Jan11

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Hope is an angel bathed in light

That comes to my dream at night

Hope is a single dandelion 

That has withstood the ravages of winter

Hope is in people coming together 

To mourn what has been lost 

Hope is in the light of the candles burning

Remembering those who are gone 

Hope is in the solidarity we feel

With each other no matter where we come from

Hope is in truth overcoming falsehood

In justice being served in due time

Hope is sometimes hard to find

It may be as rare as the dandelion on the path

But it’s there

Sometimes we need to search for it harder and longer

But it’s there

Hope never dies

 

January 11th, 2020

Injustice

Nov28

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What is the color of injustice?

It’s midnight black

And like the darkness of the moonless night

It wraps itself around you and starts squeezing

Injustice like a black cloth blindfolds you 

And wrapped around your mouth, silences you

Injustice like a rope

Ties your hands behind your back and restricts you

Injustice is the thief that steals the light 

Temporarily 

But the darkness of injustice 

Will give way to dawn

That day will come 

November 2019

A new page

Jan4

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It’s a new year because we have decided to mark time this way
Otherwise today is not that different from yesterday
Or a day in the last month

The renewal we feel in the New Year
Happens inside
We decide to leave a year behind
And start another one

We decide to leave disappointment and loss behind
We leave behind unhappy memories and the time that was
We start fresh in our minds and hearts
We make new plans for the days to come
We feel rejuvenated and possibility
Is what we see

So, as the New Year begins
Let’s say good bye to what was
And embrace what is
Let’s turn a new page
Let’s look ahead with hope and expectation

 

January 4th, 2018

 

 

Nobility

Mar21

How can one endure pain and not complain?
How can one be treated unfairly and not show anger?
How can one be mistreated and maintain a positive attitude?

The answer alludes me
But I know it is possible
Because I have known such people
I’ve observed them
I’ve read about them
And wondered where their strength comes from
Why their hope does not fade?
Why in their lives, sorrow does not reign?

Someone said that no one can take away
One’s freedom of how one responds to difficult situations
It is the response that defines us, shapes us

It’s in realising that we have a choice in how we look at the situation
How we interpret it
How we react to it

To maintain hope
To have patience that is born of wisdom and faith
To be resigned to what can’t be changed
These are born of the nobility of man
That allows him to respond so heroically to injustice
March 21st, 2016

The final analysis

Sep10

Sometimes emotions are so overwhelming
I don’t know what to feel
Should I be sad?
Should I be shocked?
Should I be astonished?

We put our faith in our fellow man
But so many times someone betrays that trust
And shatters the image we had built in our head

Then we have to readjust our understanding of reality
Perhaps we become jaded
Perhaps we become angry and frustrated
Perhaps we question the existence of justice and hope

But this state is not a healthy one
Hope is essential
Trust is essential
Faith that goodness exists is essential

Of course the hurt feelings will stay for a while
After all, we are not machines

All we can do is stay positive
Surround ourselves with good friends
And keep doing things that are worthwhile

Everything else is bound to work out
Because there is justice in the world
And even though some people try their best
To obliterate it, they won’t succeed

Justice will prevail
And light will overcome darkness
In the final analysis!

Lida Berghuis
September 9th, 2015

Why talk about it?

Sep21

Why talk about it?
Because it needs to be talked about!
Why talk about it?
Because I feel I can!
Why talk about it?
Because many don’t, or can’t

Why talk about it?
To break the code of silence
That keeps us quiet
And keeps us in the dark!

Why talk about it?
Because it’s time
I feel ready now!

Why talk about it?
Because there are too many
Misconceptions out there

Why talk about it?
To give a voice to people
Who suffer needlessly

Why talk about it?
Because it needs to be done!

Why talk about it?
To give hope!

Why talk about it?
To celebrate victory!

Why talk about it?
Because it needs to be done!

Lida Berghuis
September 20th, 2014