The promise of dawn arising,
they tread their last steps to
take their last breaths
the cold dampness of the earth
reminding them of finality-
that their lightly slippered feet
will soon be suspended in air.
Above them, nooses swinging
under the electric light of a sports field,
Shiraz- city of gardens and poets-
flickers in the distance as
the ten women cloaked in silence
soon to be choked to silence
ascend a platform to
kiss the noose of destiny
and claim the sentence
of death
for being Baha’is.
They stand serenely
as if at the threshold of the
most splendid garden in Shiraz -
infused with the fragrance
of orange blossoms, jasmine, and roses
enthralled by songs of nightingales
and the wisdom of rapturous mystic poets.
Shiraz, where the portal for a new day
was opened to the seekers of the Promised One,
And the brambles of prejudice and hate
were cleared for the most precious fruits to grow.
Months of imprisonment and torture
Haven’t robbed the Persian Roses of their fragrance,
It couldn’t be extracted
through the blood of lacerations
the hours of relentless torture and interrogations -
They withstood.
Neither jailors nor judges could turn
their profession of belief
into confessions of denial
born of battered bodies and
drawn from thirsting lips.
They would not recant
the Faith etched with indelible ink
in their inmost hearts
to embrace a mockery of justice.
Life of the spirit
is not paused by the trials of the earth
“Death is a ‘messenger of joy”
to the ten who sacrifice
their lifeblood for love.
Mona, seventeen, the youngest
-budding teacher and poet-
charged with ‘misleading children
and being a ‘zionist’
asks to be the last of the nine
as they are executed one by one
Mona always cheering hearts
prays as each friend
braves the last bitter draught
and
when all hang but her
she kisses the noose
and releases her earthly frame.
Four decades later
The seeds of their sacrifice
sow indomitable gardens
of courage and faith
in tender hearts yearning
to live their highest purpose.
Gardens of inspiration
grow through each new generation
who remember and honor them:
Mona Mahmudnizhad, a 17-Year
Mrs. Nusrat Yalda'i, 54 years old,
Mrs. 'Izzat Janami Ishraqi, 50 years old,
Miss Roya Ishraqi, 23 and daughter of 'Izzat,
Mrs. Tahirih Siyavushi, 32 years old,
Miss Zarrin Muqimi, 28 years old,
Miss Shirin Dalvand, 25 years old,
Miss Akhtar Sabit, 19 or early 20's,
Miss Simin Sabiri, early 20's,
Miss Mahshid Nirumand, 28 years old,
Photo of Mona Mahmudnizhad
