They were three
and one is dead—
in one prison among many
arrested for dancing, clapping, chanting—
burning headscarves—
in one protest among many
in a land where the choice is
between “hijab” and . . . —
In one solitary cell—among many
subjected to electric shocks—batons—
whippings—ice cubes on testicles—
rape—among many—
nightmares
Their body a record of
broken toes and noses—
incontinence—rectal bleeding—
loss of mobility—and memory—and speech—
One prisoner—among many—
confessed to burning the Quran
among many—crimes not committed—
sentenced to death for
“waging war against God”
“corruption on Earth”
“apostasy”
They are many
and some are dead
The tortures continued—
in the name of
most feared god—
the master-torturer—
in a dungeon
no Lazarus emerges from
One died of torture—
before he was hanged
The choice was between
“death” and . . . —
They were three
and one is dead—
They are many
and many are dead—
We are many
and silence
is dead
• Author’s Note: Alternative spelling: Roohi, an Iranian protestor in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, who was arrested in September 2022 and died in custody in August 2023.
