15 Comments
User's avatar
☆ book club abby  ☆'s avatar

So beautiful 🕊️

Expand full comment
Zahra Shahtahmasebi's avatar

Thank you Abby ❤️

Expand full comment
ELIZABETH-JANE BAIRD's avatar

When I saw the title I thought “Hey, that’s a translation of a quote from Te Reo Maori!” Then I wondered whether is was common in other cultures too - which kind of disappointed me. I was relieved to see that you are now a Kiwi. Go you! I am too! ❤️🥝🇳🇿

Expand full comment
Zahra Shahtahmasebi's avatar

Thanks Elizabeth-Jane! It’s one of my favourite whakataukī ❤️ 🥝

Expand full comment
Michelle's avatar

This is beautiful, & such a powerful reminder to always question that “carefully constructed narrative,” which here in the US is truly lies & propaganda based in fear & hatred.

Expand full comment
Zahra Shahtahmasebi's avatar

Thank you Michelle ❤️

Expand full comment
Naomi Graham's avatar

Beautiful, I relate so much to this in describing my time in Palestine! 💜

Expand full comment
Zahra Shahtahmasebi's avatar

Thank you for sharing Naomi 🫶 I would love to hear your descriptions some time

Expand full comment
Sean's avatar

Such a beautiful piece Zahra, you found amazing words!

Expand full comment
Zahra Shahtahmasebi's avatar

Thank you Sean! Appreciate this 🥹

Expand full comment
JMKash's avatar

This is so beautifully written. Thank you for putting in to words what I could not.

Expand full comment
Zahra Shahtahmasebi's avatar

Thank you 🙏 it’s so hard - for so long I felt like I had no words at all for the feelings I am feelings

Expand full comment
Jacq O's avatar

Thank you Zahra - that is beautiful and paints such a warm, joyous, loving picture of Iran - a picture nobody wants us to see

Expand full comment
Rae Sanderson's avatar

Stunning, and so evocative. You're absolutely right that the 'West' does not know nearly enough about the Middle East, and we don't do enough to educate ourselves, which means we risk losing so many fabulous cultures. It's pitiful, and should be taught to all of our children. Not only to improve understanding, but to prevent the loss of these amazing cultures. It's harder to not care about a people that you have learned about and understand.

Expand full comment
Lucas-Alexander Kousoulou's avatar

This is an amazing piece of literature and a testament to the power of language and your skill as a writer. Despite having never been to Iran or the middle east for that matter, I couldn't help but feel both witness to the beautiful culture you've shared as well as the similarities between my mother country of Cyprus. We are all people -the most important thing- and human culture is one in all forms.

Expand full comment