Has Anything Changed?

Sitara Hamidi

I am a woman born in a pit of torturous traditions.
I am the daughter of yet another mother
Who has sacrificed her dreams and wishes.
My mother burned and tolerated in silence for a lifetime.

Beloved mother,
I know you suffered from dusk until dawn
So that my life would be better.

My generation still dies
In suicide attacks and bomb blasts.

The girls of my generation still
Lose their freedoms to the catcalls of stray boys.
A girl of my generation
Is still stalked by hungry eyes like prey.

Dear mother,
Sometimes I feel nothing has changed.
My days begin and end with tears
As did your years.

Read this poem in Persian here.