One Hundred Thousand Veils

Come down
and walk these roads around
the city of Tehran
where seven candles burn.

Follow me
all you who claim to be
possessed of charity
down to the Crimson Sea.

One hundred thousand veils have covered the sun
and darkest clouds have blocked and blackened the blue sky.

Did you hear the fate
of those who educate
who even in the grave
find no respite from hate?

Have you seen the youth
who gave their lives for truth,
that girl who kissed the noose
and welcomed all abuse?

One hundred thousand suns have fallen to earth
with blasts that block the ears from hearing the new song.
One hundred thousand veils have covered the truth
How many mothers’ cries are lost in the tumult?

There is no war to fight
you have no sacred right
no holy book to cite
to make these wrongs seem right.

Does it so offend
to want this world to mend,
to walk in hope to the end
and see each man a friend?

Come down
and walk these roads around
the cities of Iran
which boast so much to man.