Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

‎(picture: Some of the many women who have, in the last year and a half or more, suffer(ed) from the illegal, violent, misogynistic, and inhumane actions of the Islamic Republic government in Iran). 

Her

They call her brave
without elaborating 
or closing their eyes.

Her cold and dry hands,
like sandpaper, 
rub down her body - 
from her arms
legs 
and stomach
to her chest
back 
and neck.
She is hard
stiff
submerged in chills 
Her mind continues to circulate
The rubbing doesn't stop 
Her joints loosen
Every movement replenishes 
her strength. 

Her voice projects words 
combined to create 
known thoughts 
not considered 
by the passing head.
Those who cherished 
were arrested erect. 

Her photo shows suppressed eyes that, 
travel deep into the looker's gaze, 
are able to draw the explorer 
into a story of stories never told, 
filled with emotions ready to explode. 

Her roar cannot be contained,
not at the breaking point. 

As the loyal men say,
It is about choice. 
Hers is to 
exercise patience 
for higher endurance 
to gain freedom 
to sustain honour. 

From the start,
she knew patience by
knowing she will rise higher
as a warrior for life 
an angel of love 
a teacher to all.