I performed this poem as part of “Verbally Loud” at the Downtown Art Walk on July 9, 2009 the 10 year anniversary of what is called the 18th of Tir.  I was surprised how positive a response I got.  A local casting agent who later I got into a tiff with at an acting school because she claimed I did something wrong, which seems to be the unethical trend here, recorded the performance.  Plus when the crowd erupted into applause, well her reaction was strange. 

I wrote this poem the day before I performed it.  Salam has many meanings, including the name of a paper shut down by the government of Iran.   I am not an advocate of violence.  Peaceful change should be the goal.  Unfortunately in 1999, that was the end result.  However, it is my understanding the violence was not started by the students and in fact that people were dragged out of their beds at night by the police.  In 2009 demonstrations were held around the world to remember what had happened ten years before. 

I had an art teacher in college who practiced Baha’i.  I dedicated my performance to her.  She died of cancer.  She taught us to open our minds to other cultures, including Islam.  I am not Islam or Baha’i, but I recognize that peace is a goal of all that are truly good and the first step is accepting we are all different and have a right to be and exist and live. 

Now for my poem:

Salam

Did you know that in Iran it is a crime to have a free mind?

A thought crime: “any violent or peaceful act of a person or group against the regime.”

This morning freedom wants to read

words to set its mind to breed

thoughts and visions of hope and peace.

Salam my friend is gone and so

we carry a torch to the pen lay low.

On the 18th of Tir we hoped for more

we will not regret this time

that we missed the sound of the school chime.

In Tehran we marched a thousand strong

for a change, a new order, a promised dawn.

By night the city cried tears of red.

Many disappeared, yet only one was ever reported dead.

Today we remember what happened then.

We do not fear it will happen again.

We can not and hope for a day,

when tyranny and prejudice are gone away.

So we say to you who hear our cries,

Today we march for our freedom,

Salam, not good bye.

For a definition of the 18th of Tir see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_student_protests,_July_1999