A Prayer for Neda

because her government cannot ban our prayers

Her brave heart and shining eyes

will surely long be remembered.

Governments may deny her right to vote.

Governments may deny her right to speak.

Governments may deny her right to breathe free.

But there is one who rewards righteous deeds.

Governments may deny her proper funeral.

Governments may deny collective prayers.

Governments may deny black mourning banners.

But there is one who recognizes Faith.

And there is one who rewards her

truth, patience and constancy.

We will still pray

for her brave heart and shining eyes.

Reviews

[Eric]

Interesting piece, Emily.

I find myself looking deeper into the words - searching for the story behind the story. The effect is this: I was careful to read every word, every line, sometimes twice.

You've slowed me down (yet again) to read rather than scan. Using words to effect - a real poet.

Damn government.

Eric

[The Flawed]

Well� where to start? I had to wait a little for my Goosebumps to go down, you know that I am a fan of your work but with this piece you have really done it for me. Well done, a very very good job.

[Raef C. Boylan]

Religious overtones aside, thanks so much for posting this Emily. I don't have a TV and I've been avoiding newspapers for a while - the media in general really - until I can teach myself to accept their disgusting hypocrisies and sensationalism. So I knew nothing about this. I was aware of issues with Iran's elections, but not this story, nor its accompanying levels of violence.

Thank you for acquainting Neda and me [I read about 20 articles to try and get a well-rounded view].

[Sean Allen]

Emily, you have caprured Neda's essence perfectly.
Now it is up to 'us' to see that she will be long remembered.

[Collect-Eye]

This strikes a chord. well spoken. alleghorical in some strange way..that's all I can think to say.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

AMEN!!

[An Ordinary Woman]

because her government cannot ban our prayers

No, they cannot.
I really have no words of my own but needed to say something, anything. Thank you for writing this Em, your words are loud and clear.

May you rest in peace, Neda Agha-Soltan.