Parvin on Iranian Women of Her Time

When I completed my high school successfully, I was not merely an eighteen-year-old girl, rather I was a world full of poems, secrets and mysteries.

The principal had asked me to deliver a lecture for the students at the convocation ceremonies. Honestly, I didn't want to do it, but the insistence of the Principal, friends, and teachers persuaded me to deliver a lecture at a relatively large gathering. I noted down the longstanding wishes I had in my mind for an Iranian woman. I was afraid of the first moment of lecturing. I wondered if my speech would be interesting and would be welcomed by the audience. But it was. My speech received the frequent ovations of the audience. I had composed a poem for the Iranian woman, which I read at the meeting.

As if woman in Iran weren’t Iranian before

Her fate misery, suffering and no more

No other stayed in darkness like woman

Neither a victim in den of hypocrisy like a subhuman

Without witness in court of justice was woman

Barred from school of virtue was woman

Forbidden from light of knowledge was woman

Ignorance didn't underlie in lowliness of woman

Imitation is woman’s bewilderment and trap of misery

Lucky women who didn't follow it unnecessary

Worth of wearer accords value to shoes and dress

Value not lying in price of garment and dress