This poem is based on a letter written by Isa Saharkhiz to Ahmad Shaheed, United Nations Human Rights Special Rapporteur, urging him to travel to Iran and inspect Iranian prisons. See Persian to English translation of the letter here >>>
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Prison Letter, Don’t Delay!
Hearing news of your pending arrival,
encourages me,
and many others.
Why?
Because, we hope,
our stories, to the world will be told,
how tragic,
pathetic,
and vile are the evils in this world,
echoing my voice of innocence,
and many more.
You, the honorable man,
What goes on today,
is crimes against humanity,
nothing short of acts of inhumanity,
not only inflicted on us,
but even on many hardened criminals,
nothing short of tragedy.
Unfortunate death!
Death of hunger, of beating, and brutality.
What have you heard!
Details of what transgressions you’re aware of,
of earlier deaths?
Certainly, you know I am ill.
You know of lack of treatment,
or even a hospital bed.
No, no, no…
No need to mention it in detail.
But,
purpose of this letter is for our stories to be told,
of impending horrors and despair.
Why?
Because today,
it is obvious to me,
and many more,
strategy of Evil is to kill,
quietly, gradually, slowly.
Kill those who dare to tell.
Evil lurks,
deliberately, decisively, hell bound on destruction and death.
Planning on murdering us in dark cells.
Why?
Because, Evil is scared of us alive,
even behind bars and walls.
In the name of humanity,
and,
in the name of responsibility,
do whatever is in your ability,
use them all,
until the world knows of these despicable acts,
knows of what goes on behind these walls.
I hope,
You’d be mindful of precious time,
and know any delay,
would mean nothing,
except for more of us to die,
behind these dark walls.
So,
I expect of you,
come see us soon, whithout wait.
Don’t delay!
If Evil forbids your trip,
on its own,
it implies,
His rule is based on nothing but lies.
