Tag Archive | Poetry

A night from hell

Oct28

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First night after my first chemo treatment:

It was a night from hell

Pardon my language

No, it wasn’t nausea or fatigue or the other things I was expecting

It did not let me sleep 

Did not let go of me all night

And I had never experienced  it before

It was restless leg syndrome

Every few second my leg would go into a spasm and move involuntarily, like a little kick 

So imagine that, times a thousand

Because it would not stop

I tried hot packs

I tried stretches

Albert gave me a massage

But these little kicks came back on time each time

I took Tylenol

I took Valerian 

I would sleep a little and then wake up 

To that now familiar and dreaded feeling of a kick I was not in control of

It did get better as the night went on

But it didn’t disappear totally

It became milder and less frequent

It moved from my left leg to my right leg where it has stayed

I’m so happy the night is almost over and with it my ordeal 

I hope it’s not a night I will ever have to repeat again

October 20th, 2022

ps: Nine days later: survived the first week after chemo and doing well.

Anthem of unity

Oct18

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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

Lionesses

Oct17

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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

When children are killed

Oct16

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A child was killed
No, children have been killed 
And why you may ask
Because they spoke their minds
Asked for their rights
Took off their scarves
Fought for freedom
And this is a real fight
Many have died
Innocent ones
At the hands of brutal people
Whose heart seems to be made of stone
Who are willing to kill their own countrymen
People are dying in the streets
This is not an easy fight
Courage is needed
Anger fuels their cause
But why should children die?

October 15, 2022

Smoke billows

Oct16

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Smoke billows

Smoke billows from the prison on the hill
A thick grey column has risen to the sky
It marks the place of atrocities and injustices

Rounds of shots can be heard
Who is being killed and why?
Haven’t they suffered enough?

Explosions can be seen
Tear gas is being fired on those who have no where to hide
The injured are being taken away
But why have they been injured in the first place?

These are dark days
And dark acts of hatred are being committed
These days are being marked with people chanting
With cars honking
With head scarves burning
With placards and signs
With grievances being written on walls

These days are dark
But they will not last
People have passed through the valley of fear
They cannot be stopped
And they will continue to ask for their rights
And one bright morning, the sun of justice will shine

October 16th, 2022

Looking ahead

Oct14

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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

Wildfire

Oct13
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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

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

The sun is rising

Oct10

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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