I don't often get political on this site, although it is very tempting these days, but the death of a young music student in Iran, shot to death by the Iranian Basij militia, a volunteer paramilitary force that takes orders from the Revolutionary Guard, should be mourned by all of us who believe in freedom, creativity and self expression.  This is a photo taken by her fiance, Caspian Makan, and a poem by Mandana that was posted on the internet.  Neda was walking on a side street in Tehran with her music teacher during the recent demonstrations when she was shot in the heart by the Basij.  She died within minutes, her lifeblood flowing onto the city street. Music is forbidden (as is Art and Dance) by Islamic Fundamentalists. Perhaps it is time for the Mullahs to go away........

From AP:    She studied philosophy and took underground singing lessons — women are barred from singing publicly in Iran. Her name means voice in Persian, and many are now calling her the voice of Iran.

A Poem for Neda Agha Soltan (1982-2009)
Written by Mandana
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Stay, Neda—
The twittering birds,
Green-garbed forests,
Scented blossoms… all sing
of spring’s arrival
Don’t go, Neda…
-
Stay, Neda—
Sing with your people in the streets
Say, Long live life!
Down with death!
Tell the sun to shine,
the cold to depart
Don’t go, Neda…
-
Stay, Neda—
Look at this city
At the shaken foundations of palaces,
The height of Tehran’s maple trees,
They call us “dust,” and if so
Let us sully the air for the oppressor
Don’t go, Neda
-
Don’t be afraid
It is the sound of fireworks, not bullets The offspring-sparks of a great flame We are aflame, Fueled by baton-cracks and gunshots We are ablaze Don’t go Neda…
-
Oh Neda, Neda!
Breathe
Rise
Shatter the cage
Break through the bars
Don’t go, Neda
-
Don’t go, Neda—
Wait—
Look beyond the clouds
Lady sun is breaking through
She is just like you
Don’t go Neda
Oh God, don’t go…