The Sanctity of Insanity
A ferocious mind
with a demon
residing in his
soul
Harboring
with deceased mind
hatred, division and
turmoil.
A
wretched demoniac
void of empathy,
scruple and
wisdom
Nursing
a fetid obsession with carnage
in pursuit of
thrown.
A
Cursed devil
masquerading as
saintly breed
A
vile, wicked tyrant
praising
evil deed.
With
the persistent denial
and
blindness of the
cult
The
assailant now
the victim
of the unruly
assault.
Disgrace of
law and order patriotic
law-abiding a
crime
Tyranny
ustered diamond
when
kindness dozen a
dime.
The
lewd lust
for retribution
norm and accepted.
offense
And
shooting citizens
in the back
an act of
self- defense.
Alas,
freedom doomsbound
on a destined journey
Into
abyss
And
a nation homeless
in their homeland
beseeching for
bliss.
The
lifeline of a
tyrant
conspiracy and
lie
And,
fact-checker
enemy of the people
destined to
die.
A
blind headman
guiding the cult
in dark night of
autocracy
Yet
in dark night
one can see better
the shining stars of
Democracy.
Parviz Parvaresh
January 2026
Parviz Parvaresh is a film and theater actor, university professor, and poet. He was the guest of honor at PCC’s Jong e Farhangi event on January 24, 2026.
Child of Hyacinths and Pine Needles (2026)
by Dorina Elahimehr, with inspiration from Aurora Levins Morales
I am a child of hyacinths and pine needles,
with my strong nose and wide eyes,
a child, a chance, born into a new land.
I am a girl, a romantic, a visionary,
Arising from dreams for better opportunities
A daughter of immigrants and a descendant of pioneers,
speak of saffron and rosewater and hot dogs.
I sing with my ancestors to remember their song
I write for my future, somewhere far away from what came before
I dance to the song of the nay and daf, their rhythms in my heart:
Dum-tak-tak, pumping my blood, echoing in my mind.
I dream in two tongues, history and future
My mother: of poetry, of music, of wine and heartache
My home: of eagles, of freedom, of new beginnings and novelty
They blend together like turmeric and spaghetti.
I am a child of hyacinths and pine needles
I was born in a world split
But I am whole.
Dorina Elahimehr is an ISSD graduate and a TA.
Past, Present, Future
Walking through my past,
I stop at Persepolis near my birthplace Shiraz.
Standing tall are the majestic ancient columns,
pillars of my pride,
and I am in awe!
Coming across, Pasargad, resting place of Cyrus the Great,
A dignified monument, a reminder of a glorious time.
Story of a compassionate king who pardoned Jews, freed slaves of Babylon, and spared so many lives,
A king who planted seeds of democracy in that far away time.
a paradigm of humanity, benevolence, and justice,
a teacher of what was right and wrong.
Proudly, I walk through my history where so many names shine,
men and women of great deeds in all walks of life.
Great masters of philosophy, science, literature, and poets like:
Saadi, Hafez, Khayyam, Ferdowsi, Rumi, Nezami,
Whom among many, they sure stand tall.
Sauntering through my garden of memories,
I smell aromas of jasmines and narcissus in the air,
I taste the sweetness of figs, white berries and plums,
life seems so colorful imagining red seeds of a pomegranate,
and I rejoice remembering pistachios smiling at me,
placed in my grand-mother’s antique jar.
My memories travel to the magnificent Isfahan and Kashan,
with great wonders of architecture, and handmade arts.
I cannot help but admire such awe-inspiring minds.
At the gates of Persepolis and barrow of Pasargad,
While rejoicing this journey, embracing my roots,
I am mindful not to be lost with my hubris, my pride,
A new century is here and I must move on.
I must rise to the “Present,” I must be mindful of Now!
Remember, Sun always rises from the East,
Persia shined as the beacon of light, power and prowess,
the cradle of “good words, good deeds and good thoughts,”
must shine again!
Rich with bounty of the past, I must pursue the future,
Reminding myself, I am, you are, and we are makers of our destiny.
I am the future, you are the future, we are the future.
My branches are far from their roots, but the seeds are still in the soil.
Our children are the torch holder of the bright future,
They will Revive the glory of this ancient land.
I have a duty, “I have a dream.”
I must rise and touch the reality of my dream,
I must transcend beyond the darkness to see the light,
Tomorrow is mine, tomorrow is yours, tomorrow is ours.
Roses of Kashan must bloom once again,
Rivers, lakes and streams dancing with the waves,
Our ancestors are watching,
We must rise from the ashes again.
Recent history has been unkind to my motherland,
But proudly,
I am sister of Irandokht and Pourandokht,
Women who ruled with wisdom and much more.
Let my Past shine and guide me on my journey,
Let my Present be a learning lesson,
thrusting me to a Future that,
I deserve, you deserve, and it will come.
Zohreh Rastegar
Washington, D.C
