Rooftops of Tehran

References

110 References and Comments “And So It Goes”—Line 4 quotes fromThe LosAngelesTimes,May 29,2004 “The Tulips of Tehran”and“Daddy’s Key”—Iran-Iraq war began shortly after the 1979 revolution and lasted eight years (1980-1988). Saddam Hussein was provided weapons and support by the United States throughout those years. Iranian children were often recruited by the Islamic Republic of Iran to run ahead of the soldiers in order to clear out the mine fields.Each child and soldier was provided with a key to Heaven. “Telephoning a Poet”—Based on an actual conversation with a poet residing in Iran. Initially I named her in the title of the poem, but later, fearing for her safety, I replaced her name with“a poet.” “Stoning the Prostitute”—Though stoning women is not common practice in Iran,nonethelessitdoestakeplaceinsmallertownsandhamlets.Thesewomen are not protected by law. “His Parents‘Disappeared’ in the Suburbs of Tehran”—During the first few years of the 1979 Iranian revolution, many men and women systematically and mysteriously “disappeared.” These were people the government deemed “threatening” to the government they were establishing. Later, the established government no longer conducted these eradications clandestinely. Many innocent people were executed openly as infidels or traitors and the cost of bullets were often demanded from the victims’ families. 111 This page intentionally left blank. 112 This page intentionally left blank. ...