Thief
It was late at night when we returned
from the party, both tired ready to get
some sleep. As I turned the key, I
noticed the door was unlocked.
Something was wrong. Cautiously I
nudged the door open just to face a
half-empty house. We’d been
burglarized.
Neither the television nor the leather
sofa in front of it remained. My favorite
ottoman wasn’t there. The VCR, the
camcorder and the stereo system were
all gone. More
It was late at night when we returned
from the party, both tired ready to get
some sleep. As I turned the key, I
noticed the door was unlocked.
Something was wrong. Cautiously I
nudged the door open just to face a
half-empty house. We’d been
burglarized.
Neither the television nor the leather
sofa in front of it remained. My favorite
ottoman wasn’t there. The VCR, the
camcorder and the stereo system were
all gone. More
Déjà Vu
After driving through the crowded morning
streets, I circled the block for the second
time and victoriously slipped into the
ultimate parking spot—the one right
across from my office. This
unprecedented event brightened my
morning. As I was locking the car door and
grinning to myself I noticed a small-
framed man standing on the sidewalk
After driving through the crowded morning
streets, I circled the block for the second
time and victoriously slipped into the
ultimate parking spot—the one right
across from my office. This
unprecedented event brightened my
morning. As I was locking the car door and
grinning to myself I noticed a small-
framed man standing on the sidewalk
The last day of the month when Mr.
Mahan woke, his mouth had a
strange bitter taste. After breakfast
he checked his mailbox and found a
letter, one with no sender’s
address. When he looked at the
recipient’s address he was puzzled,
it was written in his own
handwriting as if he had written it
today. He was more shocked when
he noticed the postmark date. The
letter was mailed over 30 years
ago. More
Jacob
He covered his ears with the palms
of his hands and rose from his chair
at the pile of papers on his desk,
he threw his pen aside, massaged
his aching fingers and staggered
toward his bed in the corner. The
roaring wind rattled the window
panes. An excruciating pain
radiated through his spine and
while he was whizzing, he
wondered why autumn was not his
favorite season. More
He covered his ears with the palms
of his hands and rose from his chair
at the pile of papers on his desk,
he threw his pen aside, massaged
his aching fingers and staggered
toward his bed in the corner. The
roaring wind rattled the window
panes. An excruciating pain
radiated through his spine and
while he was whizzing, he
wondered why autumn was not his
favorite season. More
Girl behind the window
different from where she grew up.
The street below was overrun with
the crowd. Tons of young people were
gathered in small circles,
passionately arguing. Some held
signs, waving them furiously, heads
moved back and forth and hands cut
the air like knives. She’d never seen
people that excited before—what
could have made so many people so
angry? She wondered.
More
different from where she grew up.
The street below was overrun with
the crowd. Tons of young people were
gathered in small circles,
passionately arguing. Some held
signs, waving them furiously, heads
moved back and forth and hands cut
the air like knives. She’d never seen
people that excited before—what
could have made so many people so
angry? She wondered.
More
Jen
My ominous association with
ghosts goes back to my early
childhood years. Aunt Sedighe my
father’s youngest sister lived in
Shoushtar, one of the oldest cities
in the world, dating back to
Achaemenian dynasty (400 BC).
Shoushtar used to be the winter
capital of Sassanian dynasty and it
was built by the Karoun River. The
river was channeled to form a
trench around the city. A
subterranean system called
ghanats connected the river to the
private reservoirs of houses and
buildings, supplied water during
times of war when the main gates
were closed. More
My ominous association with
ghosts goes back to my early
childhood years. Aunt Sedighe my
father’s youngest sister lived in
Shoushtar, one of the oldest cities
in the world, dating back to
Achaemenian dynasty (400 BC).
Shoushtar used to be the winter
capital of Sassanian dynasty and it
was built by the Karoun River. The
river was channeled to form a
trench around the city. A
subterranean system called
ghanats connected the river to the
private reservoirs of houses and
buildings, supplied water during
times of war when the main gates
were closed. More
Baby Bride*
The best day of my life was when
mom bought me the Princess Saba
in her long white dress covered
with thousands of colorful tinsels.
Her lush blonde hair falling over
her chest was so shiny that when in
stared at them it was like staring
into the sun. Her eyes were blue,
the type that open and close. Every
day I combed her hair, I touch her
breasts hoping one day mine would
grow like them. My only wish was to
become a bride just like the
Princess with blonde hair, blue
eyes, red lips and white gown.
Princess Saba always slept in my
bed.
More
The best day of my life was when
mom bought me the Princess Saba
in her long white dress covered
with thousands of colorful tinsels.
Her lush blonde hair falling over
her chest was so shiny that when in
stared at them it was like staring
into the sun. Her eyes were blue,
the type that open and close. Every
day I combed her hair, I touch her
breasts hoping one day mine would
grow like them. My only wish was to
become a bride just like the
Princess with blonde hair, blue
eyes, red lips and white gown.
Princess Saba always slept in my
bed.
More
| Welcome to Saeed Tavakkol's website |
Fictional Character
From where I sit behind my desk
typing on my computer, I can always
hear the rumbling of his truck
before I turn my head to see him
shoving the articles of mail into the
mail boxes. The mailman reaches
our street everyday around eleven. I
admire his driving skills, the way he
maneuvers his little white truck to
fit in between the two parked cars
on either side of my mailbox. Once
he attached a little pink note on
the box letting me know that my car
must be parked far enough from the
mailbox to allow easy access.
Sometimes, the moment I see him
stop by my mailbox, I storm out in
the nick of time to give him a piece
of mail before he drives off. And on
occasions, he knocks on my door to
deliver a package that requires my
signature. More
From where I sit behind my desk
typing on my computer, I can always
hear the rumbling of his truck
before I turn my head to see him
shoving the articles of mail into the
mail boxes. The mailman reaches
our street everyday around eleven. I
admire his driving skills, the way he
maneuvers his little white truck to
fit in between the two parked cars
on either side of my mailbox. Once
he attached a little pink note on
the box letting me know that my car
must be parked far enough from the
mailbox to allow easy access.
Sometimes, the moment I see him
stop by my mailbox, I storm out in
the nick of time to give him a piece
of mail before he drives off. And on
occasions, he knocks on my door to
deliver a package that requires my
signature. More
Abstract
After debating myself for months, I
finally decided to take the art class.
I always wanted to create. This
dream seemed so within my reach
after I read the course description
in the continuing education catalog
of the local community college. It
read, More
After debating myself for months, I
finally decided to take the art class.
I always wanted to create. This
dream seemed so within my reach
after I read the course description
in the continuing education catalog
of the local community college. It
read, More
Hook
before I went to bed. If I drink more,
I wake up in the middle of the night
for a trip to bathroom and the
tormenting insomnia afterward is
inevitable. I’ve learned that water
at night epitomizes shattered
dreams and painful awakening.
I tucked myself in and before
closing my eyes, myself victoriously
parading my prized catch dangling
from the fishing line wrapped
around my hand. More
before I went to bed. If I drink more,
I wake up in the middle of the night
for a trip to bathroom and the
tormenting insomnia afterward is
inevitable. I’ve learned that water
at night epitomizes shattered
dreams and painful awakening.
I tucked myself in and before
closing my eyes, myself victoriously
parading my prized catch dangling
from the fishing line wrapped
around my hand. More
Real Me
I was kidnapped from the maternity
ward of a hospital after birth. When
this appalling incident happened,
to avoid a scandal, the hospital
authorities took the unidentified
baby in the next crib whose parents
had abandoned him on the street
and gave him to my parents. I am
someone else. I could have been a
normal baby growing up in a normal
family and became a functional
adult, but my destiny was not
written this way. More
I was kidnapped from the maternity
ward of a hospital after birth. When
this appalling incident happened,
to avoid a scandal, the hospital
authorities took the unidentified
baby in the next crib whose parents
had abandoned him on the street
and gave him to my parents. I am
someone else. I could have been a
normal baby growing up in a normal
family and became a functional
adult, but my destiny was not
written this way. More
Colors of Dream
In a day unlike any other,
two toddlers sat alone and
out of their parents’ sight.
They exchanged no words,
they just didn’t know how.
Yet, with their impulses,
expressions and gestures,
they expressed their utter
eagerness to explore the
world in which they’d
recently More arrived. More
In a day unlike any other,
two toddlers sat alone and
out of their parents’ sight.
They exchanged no words,
they just didn’t know how.
Yet, with their impulses,
expressions and gestures,
they expressed their utter
eagerness to explore the
world in which they’d
recently More arrived. More
My Beloved!
What are you exactly?
To me perhaps,
The distant memories
Of a rowdy child.
The Goosebumps I had
In the cold dark cinema
With a frosty Pepsi in my hand.
Or perhaps,
The garlic flavor of bologna
The orange color of Fanta
Or the salt of doogh.
You’re the burning sensation,
The sting of punishment
In the palms of my hands.
The painful strikes
Of the merciless flog
For my sloppy homework
Or for being late to school.
You’re every word I misspelled
When I was dictated to.
You’re the sweet
Steam of the baked beets
On the street vendor’s cart.
You’re the stripes of the plastic balls
I kicked as a child.
You’re as dark,
More
What are you exactly?
To me perhaps,
The distant memories
Of a rowdy child.
The Goosebumps I had
In the cold dark cinema
With a frosty Pepsi in my hand.
Or perhaps,
The garlic flavor of bologna
The orange color of Fanta
Or the salt of doogh.
You’re the burning sensation,
The sting of punishment
In the palms of my hands.
The painful strikes
Of the merciless flog
For my sloppy homework
Or for being late to school.
You’re every word I misspelled
When I was dictated to.
You’re the sweet
Steam of the baked beets
On the street vendor’s cart.
You’re the stripes of the plastic balls
I kicked as a child.
You’re as dark,
More
| Interview with a Long Story Short http://www.alongstoryshort.net More |
Shadow
One gray night
In the corner of cold
Under the absent moonlight
With a suspicious gaze
Through a window frame
That did not open to anywhere
A shadow I saw
That has never been
Is not
And will never be
Yes, in the nick of time
When it passed by
The huge tree of memory
Trying to escape
My glance
For a second I saw
One gray night
In the corner of cold
Under the absent moonlight
With a suspicious gaze
Through a window frame
That did not open to anywhere
A shadow I saw
That has never been
Is not
And will never be
Yes, in the nick of time
When it passed by
The huge tree of memory
Trying to escape
My glance
For a second I saw
Lost
The bitter sting of tobacco poisoned
my mouth. I’m nauseated when I
sluggishly stretch my torso and
emerge from the layers of bed
sheets and peer out the tarnished
window. The careless rain has
soaked every crooked building,
scrubbed the dirty asphalt and now
is pouring down the broken gutters.
and its fingerprints are all over this
town. The sewers are puking in
disgust. More
The bitter sting of tobacco poisoned
my mouth. I’m nauseated when I
sluggishly stretch my torso and
emerge from the layers of bed
sheets and peer out the tarnished
window. The careless rain has
soaked every crooked building,
scrubbed the dirty asphalt and now
is pouring down the broken gutters.
and its fingerprints are all over this
town. The sewers are puking in
disgust. More
Homeless
When the city ordinance in U.S.
major cities prohibited Homeless
from sleeping under bridges, on
park benches, and on sidewalks,
the Homeless issue became
number one public concern.
Although homelessness was the
hot issue of the day, majority of
people remained uninformed of its
root causes. More
When the city ordinance in U.S.
major cities prohibited Homeless
from sleeping under bridges, on
park benches, and on sidewalks,
the Homeless issue became
number one public concern.
Although homelessness was the
hot issue of the day, majority of
people remained uninformed of its
root causes. More
Death and I
I don’t know exactly what life is
A hollow recurrence perhaps
But death is a decayed reminiscence.
“Live as if you’ll die tomorrow”
This advice I took to heart all along
A precarious life I lived
Erratic behavior, whimsical in thoughts
Unpredictable, nothing stable in my life.
I lived to the fullest
And every day I wondered
Which tomorrow I would die?
My back curved, hearing loss
Urination in middle of the night
Oh God I said,
The golden years arrived!
More
I don’t know exactly what life is
A hollow recurrence perhaps
But death is a decayed reminiscence.
“Live as if you’ll die tomorrow”
This advice I took to heart all along
A precarious life I lived
Erratic behavior, whimsical in thoughts
Unpredictable, nothing stable in my life.
I lived to the fullest
And every day I wondered
Which tomorrow I would die?
My back curved, hearing loss
Urination in middle of the night
Oh God I said,
The golden years arrived!
More
In the Margins
I live in a nice suburb with lots of nice
houses and fancy yards. Rich gringos
always need their lawns taken care of
and that’s all we do. We do weekly
mowing, trimming and mulching. We
also repair sprinkler systems, fix broken
fences, clean chimneys and replace
blown shingles off the roofs. We’re a
full service company called Green Yard
Lawn. I started my business three years
ago and worked hard and long hours by
myself to get where I am. Now I run a
successful business with two trucks and
total of five employees, four cousins
and one nephew.. More
I live in a nice suburb with lots of nice
houses and fancy yards. Rich gringos
always need their lawns taken care of
and that’s all we do. We do weekly
mowing, trimming and mulching. We
also repair sprinkler systems, fix broken
fences, clean chimneys and replace
blown shingles off the roofs. We’re a
full service company called Green Yard
Lawn. I started my business three years
ago and worked hard and long hours by
myself to get where I am. Now I run a
successful business with two trucks and
total of five employees, four cousins
and one nephew.. More
Car in reverse
Is he awake or lost in a lucid
dream?
Drifting in a car beyond his reverie
The car shifts to reverse thrusts at
high speed
A frightening journey to abyss.
Too bizarre to be real, he wonders
As he’d already seen this farce
happening
Then he wakes just to realize
His runaway car swears to left and
right
On the same path of his dreams
The helpless driver in silence
Watching his destiny revealed.
Nothing he can do to alter
The ominous reality or the fantasy
A terrified witness, that’s all he is
Doomed to discern a horrific crash
Before or after his awakening
Is he awake or lost in a lucid
dream?
Drifting in a car beyond his reverie
The car shifts to reverse thrusts at
high speed
A frightening journey to abyss.
Too bizarre to be real, he wonders
As he’d already seen this farce
happening
Then he wakes just to realize
His runaway car swears to left and
right
On the same path of his dreams
The helpless driver in silence
Watching his destiny revealed.
Nothing he can do to alter
The ominous reality or the fantasy
A terrified witness, that’s all he is
Doomed to discern a horrific crash
Before or after his awakening
End of Semester
I wander in a haze, lost in a bizarre
trance
Found myself on a college campus
and see
Some students are chatting, others
in rush to class
All holding books in their hands
Everyone has a purpose, a reason to
hang around
Why am I here? I cannot understand
The eerie setting gives me the
creeps,
Anxiety beyond belief
Suddenly I realize, I too am a student
Today is end of semester
Time for final exam, yet
The textbook, I don’ have
The subject, I have no clue
I’ve never been to class
I ask others to show me the way
To where I take the final exam
Roam trough buildings to reach my
class
Look through the window inside the
room
Students are seated, the test in
progress
Too late I must be! For what
however, I never grasp
My heart is pounding thinking what
to do
At the end of this affair
Nervously I nudge the door
And wake up wondering why
Such a peculiar dream, I
continuously have
I wander in a haze, lost in a bizarre
trance
Found myself on a college campus
and see
Some students are chatting, others
in rush to class
All holding books in their hands
Everyone has a purpose, a reason to
hang around
Why am I here? I cannot understand
The eerie setting gives me the
creeps,
Anxiety beyond belief
Suddenly I realize, I too am a student
Today is end of semester
Time for final exam, yet
The textbook, I don’ have
The subject, I have no clue
I’ve never been to class
I ask others to show me the way
To where I take the final exam
Roam trough buildings to reach my
class
Look through the window inside the
room
Students are seated, the test in
progress
Too late I must be! For what
however, I never grasp
My heart is pounding thinking what
to do
At the end of this affair
Nervously I nudge the door
And wake up wondering why
Such a peculiar dream, I
continuously have
Death of Light
“The historic event we are about
to witness will not affect our
lives in a meaningful way.
Human race is technologically far
more advanced to be concerned
with such insignificant
alteration. Life will go on as
usual.” A prominent NASA
scientist explained the upcoming
cosmetic change on a major news
network. His belief was shared
by religious and civic leaders on
the panel. More
“The historic event we are about
to witness will not affect our
lives in a meaningful way.
Human race is technologically far
more advanced to be concerned
with such insignificant
alteration. Life will go on as
usual.” A prominent NASA
scientist explained the upcoming
cosmetic change on a major news
network. His belief was shared
by religious and civic leaders on
the panel. More
Unfaithful
“Hello. May I speak with Mrs.
Paxton?”
“This is she, what can I do for you?”
“I believe we have an urgent matter
to discuss.”
“Who is this? Is something wrong?”
Mrs. Paxton seems alarmed. More
“Hello. May I speak with Mrs.
Paxton?”
“This is she, what can I do for you?”
“I believe we have an urgent matter
to discuss.”
“Who is this? Is something wrong?”
Mrs. Paxton seems alarmed. More
We have everything
Contrary to my expectations, my
ten years old nephew who was not
surprised to see the slinky I’d
brought him as a souvenir from
the United States said, “We have
slinky too. Next time we go to
Bazaar, I’ll show it to you amoo
jaan or as you Americans say dear
uncle. Whatever you find in
America we have it right here in
Iran.” More
Contrary to my expectations, my
ten years old nephew who was not
surprised to see the slinky I’d
brought him as a souvenir from
the United States said, “We have
slinky too. Next time we go to
Bazaar, I’ll show it to you amoo
jaan or as you Americans say dear
uncle. Whatever you find in
America we have it right here in
Iran.” More
| Darkness When the darkness creeps inside me I watch it with despair |
Screw
...A screw, a defective one, that’s what I
am. Pay attention! I’m not a nail. Nails
are flat head with no character I say.
They're straightforward. I’m not. They
have no twists and turns, I do. They are
easy going. I’m not. Just hit a nail on the
head and it obediently does its job, I don’
t. You can straighten a crooked nail with
a hammer and it works as good as new
and if you hit me, I get even more
crooked.
More
...A screw, a defective one, that’s what I
am. Pay attention! I’m not a nail. Nails
are flat head with no character I say.
They're straightforward. I’m not. They
have no twists and turns, I do. They are
easy going. I’m not. Just hit a nail on the
head and it obediently does its job, I don’
t. You can straighten a crooked nail with
a hammer and it works as good as new
and if you hit me, I get even more
crooked.
More
Procrastinator
When he opened his eyes in the
morning, he was seventy years old
and it was time to re-evaluate his
life. He sat behind his desk and
carefully recorded all his
unfulfilled dreams one by one.
The list was long.
It started with his well crafted
plot to failure to accomplish this
mission had taken a heavy toll on
him. Later in life he’d kissed so
many yet none replaced the one
he never had. More
When he opened his eyes in the
morning, he was seventy years old
and it was time to re-evaluate his
life. He sat behind his desk and
carefully recorded all his
unfulfilled dreams one by one.
The list was long.
It started with his well crafted
plot to failure to accomplish this
mission had taken a heavy toll on
him. Later in life he’d kissed so
many yet none replaced the one
he never had. More
How to Get a Heart Attack
The most convenient way of achieving
a your stress level. And the best
method to raise your stress is to
torment yourself because you’re a
complete failure. Always try to
overlook your achievements in life-if
you had any- and concentrate on your
weaknesses and magnify your
shortcomings. Remember failure is
the key to success. More
The most convenient way of achieving
a your stress level. And the best
method to raise your stress is to
torment yourself because you’re a
complete failure. Always try to
overlook your achievements in life-if
you had any- and concentrate on your
weaknesses and magnify your
shortcomings. Remember failure is
the key to success. More
Cultural Relativism
“Have you met our new neighbors?”
Bob asked his wife, peering out
their kitchen window, sipping his
cold beer.
“Not yet. They just moved in a few
days ago.” Pork chops were sizzling
in the pan. “After they settle in, we
should go and meet them.” She
responded.
“They look funny, where are they
from?” He was ready to sink his
teeth into a juicy piece of meat, the
highlight of his upcoming
weekend. More
“Have you met our new neighbors?”
Bob asked his wife, peering out
their kitchen window, sipping his
cold beer.
“Not yet. They just moved in a few
days ago.” Pork chops were sizzling
in the pan. “After they settle in, we
should go and meet them.” She
responded.
“They look funny, where are they
from?” He was ready to sink his
teeth into a juicy piece of meat, the
highlight of his upcoming
weekend. More
Prize
When I got home exhausted from
another hectic day at work, I threw
myself on the sofa and turned on
the television. I’d fallen into my
routine, lying on the couch, flipping
through the channels aimlessly. I
didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t
want to start on the honey-do’s. Oh,
and I just could not bear thinking of
the pile of paperwork on my desk
waiting for me tomorrow morning.
As I dozed off, it came; that annoying
telephone rings that shattered my
serenity. I ignored the first ring, the
second one was more annoying and
the third pierced my head. “Hello!” I
stretched my whole body out, just far
enough to reach the handset. More
When I got home exhausted from
another hectic day at work, I threw
myself on the sofa and turned on
the television. I’d fallen into my
routine, lying on the couch, flipping
through the channels aimlessly. I
didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t
want to start on the honey-do’s. Oh,
and I just could not bear thinking of
the pile of paperwork on my desk
waiting for me tomorrow morning.
As I dozed off, it came; that annoying
telephone rings that shattered my
serenity. I ignored the first ring, the
second one was more annoying and
the third pierced my head. “Hello!” I
stretched my whole body out, just far
enough to reach the handset. More
Echo
You’re nothing
A pale reflection
Of nothingness is nothing at all
>>>>
Dialog
Am I concerned?
Oh no. No. That’s absurd
I don’t even care
Am I worried?
Hmm. Maybe a little but that’s
normal
Shouldn’t I?
>>>>
You’re nothing
A pale reflection
Of nothingness is nothing at all
>>>>
Dialog
Am I concerned?
Oh no. No. That’s absurd
I don’t even care
Am I worried?
Hmm. Maybe a little but that’s
normal
Shouldn’t I?
>>>>
Mr. Biok
When I look back at my childhood, I see
a barefoot kid running after a ball. My
main pastime, just like every other boy
in our neighborhood, was to chase a
striped plastic ball we’d all chipped in
to buy for 8 Rials. That’s all we needed
to have fun. Our street was full of
players of all ages, starting with little
ones like myself to those with faces
blanketed in mustaches and beards.
We all shared the same passion. More
When I look back at my childhood, I see
a barefoot kid running after a ball. My
main pastime, just like every other boy
in our neighborhood, was to chase a
striped plastic ball we’d all chipped in
to buy for 8 Rials. That’s all we needed
to have fun. Our street was full of
players of all ages, starting with little
ones like myself to those with faces
blanketed in mustaches and beards.
We all shared the same passion. More
Sinful Urge
Neither the soothing sound of breeze,
nor the tweeting birds or the melody of
rain played on the stereo system in my
bedroom gave me the comfort I
deserved. My mind was inescapably
trapped by a grueling urge throwing my
entire body into painful disarray. Once
again I was captivated by an insatiable
craving in the middle of the night. By
hardly lifting my eyelids, I was
persuaded by the heavy burden of their
weight it was too early to be tomorrow,
the torment was bound to linger on.
More
Neither the soothing sound of breeze,
nor the tweeting birds or the melody of
rain played on the stereo system in my
bedroom gave me the comfort I
deserved. My mind was inescapably
trapped by a grueling urge throwing my
entire body into painful disarray. Once
again I was captivated by an insatiable
craving in the middle of the night. By
hardly lifting my eyelids, I was
persuaded by the heavy burden of their
weight it was too early to be tomorrow,
the torment was bound to linger on.
More
Confessions of a Writer
“I swear, if you come one step
closer, I’ll cut your heart out and
then kill myself!” Ashleigh was
clutching the scissors so tightly
that a drop of sweat ran through
her fingers like melted steel.
Eaton paused while gazing into
her eyes. The lovers’ destinies
were tangled in the moment.
The sound of her heartbeat
echoed in her ears. Life and
death were blended in split
seconds. More
“I swear, if you come one step
closer, I’ll cut your heart out and
then kill myself!” Ashleigh was
clutching the scissors so tightly
that a drop of sweat ran through
her fingers like melted steel.
Eaton paused while gazing into
her eyes. The lovers’ destinies
were tangled in the moment.
The sound of her heartbeat
echoed in her ears. Life and
death were blended in split
seconds. More
Cold Rain
Didn’t I stroll under its refreshing mist a
thousand times? Didn’t it make me wet
on the way to school? Didn’t it ruin my
homework times and again? Didn’t the
young palms of my hands endure the
sting of punishment every time? Didn’t
it give me the cold, the congested nose
and the cough and the horrible taste of
cough syrup afterward? Didn’t I drop the
vitamin C tablet in a glass of water,
dazzled with the fizzle and down it with
a frown? Wasn’t it all because of rain?
More
Didn’t I stroll under its refreshing mist a
thousand times? Didn’t it make me wet
on the way to school? Didn’t it ruin my
homework times and again? Didn’t the
young palms of my hands endure the
sting of punishment every time? Didn’t
it give me the cold, the congested nose
and the cough and the horrible taste of
cough syrup afterward? Didn’t I drop the
vitamin C tablet in a glass of water,
dazzled with the fizzle and down it with
a frown? Wasn’t it all because of rain?
More
Colors of Dream
In a day unlike any other, two toddlers
sat alone and out of their parents’ sight.
They exchanged no words, they just didn’
t know how. Yet, with their impulses,
expressions and gestures, they
expressed their utter eagerness to
explore the world in which they’d
recently arrived. More
In a day unlike any other, two toddlers
sat alone and out of their parents’ sight.
They exchanged no words, they just didn’
t know how. Yet, with their impulses,
expressions and gestures, they
expressed their utter eagerness to
explore the world in which they’d
recently arrived. More
Adam and Eve
Adam was sleeping on his back,
snoring loudly. His annoying noise
echoed through the cave and kept
Eve from sleeping a wink. The
moment she dozed off, his
unpleasant sounds woke her. She
finally rolled over and gripped his
nose shut ‘til he couldn’t breathe.
Adam’s chest shook violently and
jumped awake. More
Adam was sleeping on his back,
snoring loudly. His annoying noise
echoed through the cave and kept
Eve from sleeping a wink. The
moment she dozed off, his
unpleasant sounds woke her. She
finally rolled over and gripped his
nose shut ‘til he couldn’t breathe.
Adam’s chest shook violently and
jumped awake. More
PREMONITION
“Would you like another one?” The
man sitting at the bar offered a
drink to the woman next to him.
“Ah. I don’t know. I’m getting tipsy,”
she said.
“That’s what Friday night is for.” he
chuckled.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
Uma replied in a seductive tone
while playing with the empty glass
in her hand.
“I enjoy your company and do
anything to prolong its pleasure.”
More
“Would you like another one?” The
man sitting at the bar offered a
drink to the woman next to him.
“Ah. I don’t know. I’m getting tipsy,”
she said.
“That’s what Friday night is for.” he
chuckled.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
Uma replied in a seductive tone
while playing with the empty glass
in her hand.
“I enjoy your company and do
anything to prolong its pleasure.”
More
| Inferno ...I opened my arms Threw my hands In the air And Splashed an invisible fluid into sky As the saints do To bless the sinners And suddenly, Sky became ill Blue turned gray White grew dark The vicious brush of wind Painted a gloomy picture On the canvas Before my eyes... More |
The Old Picture
Where was I? I questioned
Every time I gazed
At the shades of gray
On the vintage photo
Of my brother and pregnant Mom
Where was I?
The gloomy faces etched on the paper
Made me wonder
“You were there. Outside the frame"
My sister told me once
For so many years
I’ve examined the lines
Of the grim faces
Frozen in time
Searched for a truth
If it ever was More
Where was I? I questioned
Every time I gazed
At the shades of gray
On the vintage photo
Of my brother and pregnant Mom
Where was I?
The gloomy faces etched on the paper
Made me wonder
“You were there. Outside the frame"
My sister told me once
For so many years
I’ve examined the lines
Of the grim faces
Frozen in time
Searched for a truth
If it ever was More
Lucky Night
“Congratulations, Mr. Grand. We all
the one you purchased a week ago. It
almost doubled today.” The security
guard grinned holding the heavy
glass door open for the investment
banker.
Grand called over his shoulder
“Thank you, Roger. Remember,
nothing is random. Everything
happens for a reason.” He adjusted
the lapel of his Armani suit and
made his way down the dimly-lit
alley to his Mercedes Benz. More
“Congratulations, Mr. Grand. We all
the one you purchased a week ago. It
almost doubled today.” The security
guard grinned holding the heavy
glass door open for the investment
banker.
Grand called over his shoulder
“Thank you, Roger. Remember,
nothing is random. Everything
happens for a reason.” He adjusted
the lapel of his Armani suit and
made his way down the dimly-lit
alley to his Mercedes Benz. More
Utterance
“Hmm.” That’s all I hear from her.
She makes this sound to show me
she’s which happens frequently,
she sits silently, stares into my
eyes and listens. I can trace her
gentle wheezing mixed into my
words. I love the way she scratches
her right ear.
More
“Hmm.” That’s all I hear from her.
She makes this sound to show me
she’s which happens frequently,
she sits silently, stares into my
eyes and listens. I can trace her
gentle wheezing mixed into my
words. I love the way she scratches
her right ear.
More
Encounter
Once again, the same pervert
followed me in the darkest streets of
my nights but he’d never managed to
catch me yet. When I run out of breath
and the split second before he lays a
hand on me, I usually trip and hit my
head on a curb or crash into traffic
light pole on the street corner and
wake up in cold sweat. The minute I
fall asleep, I have to run for my life. I’
nightmare over and again. More
Once again, the same pervert
followed me in the darkest streets of
my nights but he’d never managed to
catch me yet. When I run out of breath
and the split second before he lays a
hand on me, I usually trip and hit my
head on a curb or crash into traffic
light pole on the street corner and
wake up in cold sweat. The minute I
fall asleep, I have to run for my life. I’
nightmare over and again. More
Moment
He left work at 5:00 pm preoccupied
with the faulty lock on the laundry
room door. Last week his wife
assigned him a new and urgent
maintenance job, “It locked by itself
and I had to use my key to get into
the house. Make sure to fix it.” And
he replied “I’ll have to get a new
lock and replace it.” And just to be
on safe side, he hung an extra key
on a hook in the garage. More
He left work at 5:00 pm preoccupied
with the faulty lock on the laundry
room door. Last week his wife
assigned him a new and urgent
maintenance job, “It locked by itself
and I had to use my key to get into
the house. Make sure to fix it.” And
he replied “I’ll have to get a new
lock and replace it.” And just to be
on safe side, he hung an extra key
on a hook in the garage. More
Illusion
Then to the rolling Heaven itself I cried,
Asking, ”What lamp had destiny to guide
Her little children stumbling in the dark?
And- ”A blind understanding!” Heaven
replied.
Omar Khayaam
Dinner Party
“I’ll be home a little late,” Adam said to
his wife on the cell phone.
“How late is late? You know we have
guests tonight. Salad and entertainment
are your responsibilities.” Shiva said.
“That’s exactly why I’ll be late. I need to
get a book before I come home. I’ll
show you some incredible artworks. A
co-worker of mine had a calendar
designed with optical illusions. They’re
amazing. You’ve never seen anything
like it.”
More
Then to the rolling Heaven itself I cried,
Asking, ”What lamp had destiny to guide
Her little children stumbling in the dark?
And- ”A blind understanding!” Heaven
replied.
Omar Khayaam
Dinner Party
“I’ll be home a little late,” Adam said to
his wife on the cell phone.
“How late is late? You know we have
guests tonight. Salad and entertainment
are your responsibilities.” Shiva said.
“That’s exactly why I’ll be late. I need to
get a book before I come home. I’ll
show you some incredible artworks. A
co-worker of mine had a calendar
designed with optical illusions. They’re
amazing. You’ve never seen anything
like it.”
More
Prisoner
I reside on the top level of a
skyscraper, so high in the sky
that I’m too scared to look
window-the only opening to
down. When I look out the
outside world- all I see is thick
cloud below and infinite sky
above. My residence has no
door. I have no way of
communicating with outside
world, if such thing exists. I’ve
lived in a solitary confinement
all my life, yet I have no
complains. More
I reside on the top level of a
skyscraper, so high in the sky
that I’m too scared to look
window-the only opening to
down. When I look out the
outside world- all I see is thick
cloud below and infinite sky
above. My residence has no
door. I have no way of
communicating with outside
world, if such thing exists. I’ve
lived in a solitary confinement
all my life, yet I have no
complains. More
Christmas Eve
“Go talk to your professors, do
something. The entire summer you you
nothing,” she wiped her tears.
“I owe them tuitions for the last two
semesters.”
“Talk to the Foreign Students Advisor.
Tell her we’ve two small kids.”
“I already did. She said that’s the
university policy. If there is a balance,
they garnish my income.”
“They do what to your income?” More
“Go talk to your professors, do
something. The entire summer you you
nothing,” she wiped her tears.
“I owe them tuitions for the last two
semesters.”
“Talk to the Foreign Students Advisor.
Tell her we’ve two small kids.”
“I already did. She said that’s the
university policy. If there is a balance,
they garnish my income.”
“They do what to your income?” More
Conversation in Park
The entire week I worried about the
day off. Chores I’d postponed for
months. The gutter was falling off
the wall, letting rain to seep under
the foundation. The worse were our
lack luster antique dining chairs. I’d
already bought sandpaper, a
paintbrush, thinner and varnish to
give them a make- up. More
The entire week I worried about the
day off. Chores I’d postponed for
months. The gutter was falling off
the wall, letting rain to seep under
the foundation. The worse were our
lack luster antique dining chairs. I’d
already bought sandpaper, a
paintbrush, thinner and varnish to
give them a make- up. More
Waiting
The old man is here to visit his son, he
does that every month. Now he must be
sitting alone in his son’s empty room
gazing through his thick glasses at the
tarnished flowers woven into the heart of
the Persian rug. Once again I go there
and stand by the door watching him in
silence. More
The old man is here to visit his son, he
does that every month. Now he must be
sitting alone in his son’s empty room
gazing through his thick glasses at the
tarnished flowers woven into the heart of
the Persian rug. Once again I go there
and stand by the door watching him in
silence. More
Apocalypse
On the porch leaning against the wall
with a cup of coffee in my hand, I was
wondering if I was qualified to
refinance my home mortgage at a lower
rate. The voice of the meteorologist on
the television who said “enjoy your
sunny weekend” in the background
echoed in my ears. More
On the porch leaning against the wall
with a cup of coffee in my hand, I was
wondering if I was qualified to
refinance my home mortgage at a lower
rate. The voice of the meteorologist on
the television who said “enjoy your
sunny weekend” in the background
echoed in my ears. More
Nuisance Hope
In the winter of my garden
The luscious green is dormant,
And the yard inundated with weeds
Only a few blown dandelions in sight
Four silent raindrops in a row
On a slender leaf of a crabgrass
Morphed into the crystals of ice
Before my bewildered eyes
I cry and my tear falls
Right between the frozen bulbs.
My fallen tear
Shivering in the breeze
A heavy burden
On the frail slender grass.
I moan in sorrow
But my hazy sigh
Turns into a morning dew
One more frozen marble
On the fragile nuisance weed.
It finally breaks
We all fall
Shatter on the ground.
My only hope is
If the warm spring
Arrives early
My sigh blended in tear
Germinate the nuisance weed
Once again in coming year.
In the winter of my garden
The luscious green is dormant,
And the yard inundated with weeds
Only a few blown dandelions in sight
Four silent raindrops in a row
On a slender leaf of a crabgrass
Morphed into the crystals of ice
Before my bewildered eyes
I cry and my tear falls
Right between the frozen bulbs.
My fallen tear
Shivering in the breeze
A heavy burden
On the frail slender grass.
I moan in sorrow
But my hazy sigh
Turns into a morning dew
One more frozen marble
On the fragile nuisance weed.
It finally breaks
We all fall
Shatter on the ground.
My only hope is
If the warm spring
Arrives early
My sigh blended in tear
Germinate the nuisance weed
Once again in coming year.
Rogue Imagination
Ink spilled, smeared the paper
Stains ravaged the page
Soaked in surface
Pierced the core.
Then it seeped
Slowly bled.
Wild fantasies
Vague emotions
Enemies clashed
A silent chaos, in presence of calm
Vivid fear, fading hope, chronic
despair
All before my eyes, live on my paper
Then random spots morphed
Characters born
An eerie poem came to mind
A dark mélange of fantasy
A rhythmic expression of awe
Filled with daring question marks
Fake quotations, dull spaces
Redundant periods and exclamations
too!
None ever made sense
Neither the haunting images
Nor the hollow words
Ink spilled, smeared the paper
Stains ravaged the page
Soaked in surface
Pierced the core.
Then it seeped
Slowly bled.
Wild fantasies
Vague emotions
Enemies clashed
A silent chaos, in presence of calm
Vivid fear, fading hope, chronic
despair
All before my eyes, live on my paper
Then random spots morphed
Characters born
An eerie poem came to mind
A dark mélange of fantasy
A rhythmic expression of awe
Filled with daring question marks
Fake quotations, dull spaces
Redundant periods and exclamations
too!
None ever made sense
Neither the haunting images
Nor the hollow words
An absurd story
Come
Sit and listen
To my story
Then judge for yourself.
It starts somewhere
But not where it should.
It has all the elements
Of a real tale
But not in right places.
It has a plot
Yet it makes no sense.
All the characters are there
But they’re not themselves.
Dialogs are fancy
Yet they’re phony.
Everything is absurd
Nothing makes sense
And the humor is
I have no power
To make any change.
This I know very well
Yet like any other story
One day it must end
Sooner or later!
Come
Sit and listen
To my story
Then judge for yourself.
It starts somewhere
But not where it should.
It has all the elements
Of a real tale
But not in right places.
It has a plot
Yet it makes no sense.
All the characters are there
But they’re not themselves.
Dialogs are fancy
Yet they’re phony.
Everything is absurd
Nothing makes sense
And the humor is
I have no power
To make any change.
This I know very well
Yet like any other story
One day it must end
Sooner or later!
Trial
To the right stands the accused. In
the center, a black-robed judge sits
behind the bench and to the left
are five white-robed angels.
Judge says (flipping through pages
of a file): Cause of death?
Accused: Concussion and severe
head injury due to torture.
Judge: The file says suicide.
More
To the right stands the accused. In
the center, a black-robed judge sits
behind the bench and to the left
are five white-robed angels.
Judge says (flipping through pages
of a file): Cause of death?
Accused: Concussion and severe
head injury due to torture.
Judge: The file says suicide.
More
A Few Recommendations to Stop
Airborne Terrorism
Idea 1
Profile all Muslims and people of
Middle Eastern Background
Since these people are prime
suspects anyway, profiling against
them not only makes sense but
saves travelers and tax payers
billions of dollars every year. More
Airborne Terrorism
Idea 1
Profile all Muslims and people of
Middle Eastern Background
Since these people are prime
suspects anyway, profiling against
them not only makes sense but
saves travelers and tax payers
billions of dollars every year. More
In the Realm of Reality
...Deep inside I could not blame people
for thinking this way though. But I was
hoping to be discriminated against in a
McDonald's or Wal-Mart so I could sue
the hell out of them. My looks could have
come to my rescue at least once! But
contrary to my expectations, that never
happened.
guiltless man on the run, waiting to get
caught just to prove his innocence...
More
...Deep inside I could not blame people
for thinking this way though. But I was
hoping to be discriminated against in a
McDonald's or Wal-Mart so I could sue
the hell out of them. My looks could have
come to my rescue at least once! But
contrary to my expectations, that never
happened.
guiltless man on the run, waiting to get
caught just to prove his innocence...
More
 | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  |
Gypsy
I was born in Ahvaz, a city in
there until I reached 9 years
old. Those days we mocked
anyone unlike us, non-Moslems
and people who spoke with
different accents were our best
subjects. We took the most
delight in scoffing those who
dressed differently. More
I was born in Ahvaz, a city in
there until I reached 9 years
old. Those days we mocked
anyone unlike us, non-Moslems
and people who spoke with
different accents were our best
subjects. We took the most
delight in scoffing those who
dressed differently. More
Heroes
Heroes are bones in our conscious graves,
Perished in prisons, exiled in solitude.
And there’re traitors, imperfect idols,
Damaged goods
Who failed to live up to our ethical code.
Heroes are free, they don’t cost any
So it’s good to have a few,
To use as we please.
Like the sardines, cream cheese,
And ketchup when we eat.
Next to bandage, cough syrup
An aspirin for quick relief.
They don’t take space
Shuffled in a pile of vintage photos,
Lost in the lines of our unread books. More
Heroes are bones in our conscious graves,
Perished in prisons, exiled in solitude.
And there’re traitors, imperfect idols,
Damaged goods
Who failed to live up to our ethical code.
Heroes are free, they don’t cost any
So it’s good to have a few,
To use as we please.
Like the sardines, cream cheese,
And ketchup when we eat.
Next to bandage, cough syrup
An aspirin for quick relief.
They don’t take space
Shuffled in a pile of vintage photos,
Lost in the lines of our unread books. More
Annoying Corpse
“The old people who refuse to die are
annoying and the ones who return from
dead are nothing short of obnoxious.”
Mr. Nader was morbidly still in his
rocking chair throughout the vengeance
of Rambo. He didn’t even blink when
Rambo pierced the villains’ bodies with
his razor sharp dagger and his serenity
was not disturbed when the blood of
the ruthless mercenaries splashed all
over the widescreen television screen.
More
“The old people who refuse to die are
annoying and the ones who return from
dead are nothing short of obnoxious.”
Mr. Nader was morbidly still in his
rocking chair throughout the vengeance
of Rambo. He didn’t even blink when
Rambo pierced the villains’ bodies with
his razor sharp dagger and his serenity
was not disturbed when the blood of
the ruthless mercenaries splashed all
over the widescreen television screen.
More
Best Buy
“An old lady with an innocent face
and a huge hand bag, the perfect
combination to pull off a petty crime.”
“What’re you up to now?”
“We plant the game in her purse and
she’ll carry it out of store for us.”
“You don’t even play computer
games? Why would be interested in
stealing one?
“I’m in it for the rush.” Israel
answered. More
“An old lady with an innocent face
and a huge hand bag, the perfect
combination to pull off a petty crime.”
“What’re you up to now?”
“We plant the game in her purse and
she’ll carry it out of store for us.”
“You don’t even play computer
games? Why would be interested in
stealing one?
“I’m in it for the rush.” Israel
answered. More
| Expose Yourself to Art & Literature |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Most Stupid Race of All!
A racially insensitive commentary
Although, the title of this article is
not politically correct, the readers
are advised not to fly off the handle
just yet because I'm not referring to
any of the color-coded races as we
know them. It's not about White,
Black, Yellow, Red, or Stripes. There
is no factual evidence confirming
that any of these "races" being
more or less stupid than the others.
More
A racially insensitive commentary
Although, the title of this article is
not politically correct, the readers
are advised not to fly off the handle
just yet because I'm not referring to
any of the color-coded races as we
know them. It's not about White,
Black, Yellow, Red, or Stripes. There
is no factual evidence confirming
that any of these "races" being
more or less stupid than the others.
More
Vincent and Franz
Vincent and Franz were my neighbors when I
was young
Each lived in a corner house at the end
Of our dead end alley invisible to naked eyes.
Where was this neighborhood? Some people
ask.
The ones who know where I was born
Don’t believe a word of mine.
Iran has no foreigners
Let alone two in your side of town. More
Vincent and Franz were my neighbors when I
was young
Each lived in a corner house at the end
Of our dead end alley invisible to naked eyes.
Where was this neighborhood? Some people
ask.
The ones who know where I was born
Don’t believe a word of mine.
Iran has no foreigners
Let alone two in your side of town. More
First Crime
No one has ever been
sentenced to a more severe
punishment called
education as young as I was.
“I don’t know how to punish
him anymore, I ran out of
ideas, I tried everything,” my
mother said to my father
one night as tears were
running down her face. And
the next day my sentence
was carried out. I was three
years old. More
No one has ever been
sentenced to a more severe
punishment called
education as young as I was.
“I don’t know how to punish
him anymore, I ran out of
ideas, I tried everything,” my
mother said to my father
one night as tears were
running down her face. And
the next day my sentence
was carried out. I was three
years old. More
Standing on One Foot
One day as I was standing on one foot
In the back corner of the room
To get punished for
Causing commotion in the class,
The superintendent knocked on the door,
Stuck his bald head inside
And called my name out loud.
Students turned their heads wondering
What other rules had I violated this time.
More
One day as I was standing on one foot
In the back corner of the room
To get punished for
Causing commotion in the class,
The superintendent knocked on the door,
Stuck his bald head inside
And called my name out loud.
Students turned their heads wondering
What other rules had I violated this time.
More
Bicycle Thief
Reading newspapers is one of my
hobbies. I usually go to the local
library, grab a stack of papers from
different cities and read the news. I
like to read about people and
especially interested in local crime
reports. My favorite pastime has a
fringe benefit too. It gives me a good
excuse to sit by the large window for a
long time and watch a variety of
bicycles in the library bike rack and
plan my next scheme. More
Reading newspapers is one of my
hobbies. I usually go to the local
library, grab a stack of papers from
different cities and read the news. I
like to read about people and
especially interested in local crime
reports. My favorite pastime has a
fringe benefit too. It gives me a good
excuse to sit by the large window for a
long time and watch a variety of
bicycles in the library bike rack and
plan my next scheme. More
Dream of Mirror
Autumn breeze, this enigmatic brush
Deviously paints the winter
And while making love
In red, yellow and orange
Of the fallen leaves,
Throws me into a silky abyss
Of the snowy horizon.
I close my eyes wondering
Perhaps spring is imprisoned far in
reverie.
In the hazy dream of mirror
A man’s tarnished shadow appears
Pretending to be asleep
Alas, the eyelids jerk,
He's not breathing in harmony.
And the pity is,
No one would ever recall,
The illusive hope of his rogue fantasy.
Autumn breeze, this enigmatic brush
Deviously paints the winter
And while making love
In red, yellow and orange
Of the fallen leaves,
Throws me into a silky abyss
Of the snowy horizon.
I close my eyes wondering
Perhaps spring is imprisoned far in
reverie.
In the hazy dream of mirror
A man’s tarnished shadow appears
Pretending to be asleep
Alas, the eyelids jerk,
He's not breathing in harmony.
And the pity is,
No one would ever recall,
The illusive hope of his rogue fantasy.
INSOMNIA
“Don’t. Don’t make a move. Let me
crush you right on the spot. You’ll be
punished for invading my privacy in the
middle of the night. I declared its
death sentence with a swatter in my
hand, but the fly on the wall wasn’t
afraid. It was mocking me with its
repulsive compound eyes the very
moment I issued the death warrant.
The second I raised my hand, it flew off
the wall and crashed into the window
glass, and circled the room like a
maniac. I patiently waited for the right
time. More
“Don’t. Don’t make a move. Let me
crush you right on the spot. You’ll be
punished for invading my privacy in the
middle of the night. I declared its
death sentence with a swatter in my
hand, but the fly on the wall wasn’t
afraid. It was mocking me with its
repulsive compound eyes the very
moment I issued the death warrant.
The second I raised my hand, it flew off
the wall and crashed into the window
glass, and circled the room like a
maniac. I patiently waited for the right
time. More
Soldier
In the name of God
In defense of motherland,
For the cause of liberty
The purity of race
Or all of the above
I’ve shed so much blood
In history of mankind and
Died millions of times. More
In the name of God
In defense of motherland,
For the cause of liberty
The purity of race
Or all of the above
I’ve shed so much blood
In history of mankind and
Died millions of times. More
A Game of Backgammon
Or Clash of Cultures
A few nights ago, I was in the mood for
playing a relaxing game of backgammon
on the Internet, the game I learned from
masters in my childhood. There are a few
advantages in playing backgammon on
the Internet. Cheating is impossible and
Korkory (bragging and trash talk) is
optional as one can turn off the chat
feature. More
Or Clash of Cultures
A few nights ago, I was in the mood for
playing a relaxing game of backgammon
on the Internet, the game I learned from
masters in my childhood. There are a few
advantages in playing backgammon on
the Internet. Cheating is impossible and
Korkory (bragging and trash talk) is
optional as one can turn off the chat
feature. More
Missing Man
This was not the first time I engaged
in such unusual transactions, I found
it to be a tad more dignified than
bumming a cigarette. One out of five
people whom I pitched this deal,
refused to accept the money and
offered me one for gratis, he was not
one of them.
“Thanks you so much, I was this
close to cave in.” My index finger
touched my thumb before his eyes.
More
This was not the first time I engaged
in such unusual transactions, I found
it to be a tad more dignified than
bumming a cigarette. One out of five
people whom I pitched this deal,
refused to accept the money and
offered me one for gratis, he was not
one of them.
“Thanks you so much, I was this
close to cave in.” My index finger
touched my thumb before his eyes.
More
