Will the storm pass?
(for Antje)

August 29, 2005
iranian.com

What heat! The days have run the high tide hour.
I lay myself wrapped in blanket,
My window half forbids the summer wrath.
When night is fled, and day unrisen yet.
Such gloom makes for maidens meek,
Wherein may they well hope to hide their shame.

Away I cast the rails of doubt, untamed
my heart's faith now held in easy siege,
a poet's disease of tides.
What dreams I saw and held! in
a womb of fairest health!
What fickle sides, sweet craving, and youthful loins!
What more may I rehearse?
Upon my hands' worship to the altars of faith.
What more should I do?
I pray!

About
Kaveh Afrasiabi has a Ph.D. in political science. He has authored a number of books, fiction and non-fiction, and numerous articles -- including the Harvard Theological Review, Middle East Journal, UN Chronicle, and The New York Times. He is the author of: After Khomeini: New Directions in Iran's Foreign Policy (Westview Press, 1994).