Living on Memories

My generation took comfort in our grandparents’ memories of the Shah’s time, but we never got to live it. What will we tell the next generation? That we stayed silent? That they beat us and we took it? That we cried and were told it was for the Imam? That we laughed and they silenced us because laughter was blasphemy? Or will we say that we fought and won? That it was hard, but now they can smile? Will we say that, alone as we were, we became one, found a world of strength, and crossed that darkness so they would never have to see it? Let the next generation tell us about celebrations and dancing. Let them tell us about dancing freely by the sea. Let the generation after us have happy memories, so that we too may live… Long live the Shah. Long live Iran.