Lid Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Lid

On roads with slogans,
We spoke, fists were high
All were young, very sure:
"We revolve and are right…"

And we were,
In some mirrors,
Dream-likes…

Emblem, Lion-Sun,
On passports of Iran
Stood firm and proud.

Traveled near, far,
Both inland and abroad.

Visited the Yankees,
Europeans, Japanese.

Adored their governments
And the laws they obeyed:
"Live free, equal."

Our laws were in reverse:
"Must obey the leader
With closed eyes, ears,
And ankles in shackles."

On roads, our slogans
Were bullets from hearts,
Shouted with our fists high.

Like snakes and reptiles
We crept, went forward,
By mistake said yes to
An old, exiled mullah…

Met a man, elderly,
Quiet and polite.

To me, he was Khayyam
Lit the torch in the dark:
"Great is boiling pot
And smells very nice
Till removed is its lid."