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Majid Naficy: Ezzat’s Last Will & A Memory of Ezzat
Ezzat Tabaiyan’s Last Will
Before her execution in Evin Prison on January 7, 1982
Name: Ezzat Tabaiyan
Father’s Name: Saied Javad
Birth Certificate No. 31171
Hi,
Life is beautiful and desirable. Like others, I loved life too. However, there comes a time when one must say goodbye to life. For me that moment has arrived and I welcome it. I have no specific bequest; I want only to say that life’s beauties are never forgettable. Those who are alive should try to get the most out of their lives.
My Dear Father and Mother, hi,
During my life you suffered a lot to raise me. Until the last moment I will not forget my father’s callused hands and my mother’s work-worn face. I know that you did your best for me. Nevertheless, there comes the time of separation. This is inevitable. I love you with my whole existence, and I will kiss you from a path through which I cannot see you. My warm regards to my sisters and brothers. Kiss them for me. I love them. In my absence do not suffer for me and do not be hard on yourselves. Try to carry on your lives with the usual love and tenderness. Give my regards to all who ask for me
.
My Dear Husband, hi,
I had a short life and we had an even shorter life together. I wish I could have lived longer with you. But it is no longer possible. I shake your hand from far away and I wish you a long life. However, I do not think that you ever will see my will.
With a salute to all whom I loved, love and shall love.
Goodbye!
January 7, 1982
Ezzat Tabaiyan
~~~
High-Heeled Shoes
by Majid Naficy
In Memory of Ezzat Executed on January 7, 1982
Your high-heeled Shoes
Still talk to me
From the evenings that we took each other’s hand
And passed through narrow winding alleys
Sniffing, sniffing
By the window of each kitchen.
Tap tap, tap tap
Like the delicate hammering of your father
On his engraving chisel
And the copper plate of your icon
On the wall of my mind.
Poem and compilation copyright 2023 Majid Naficy.
Majid Naficy has published many books in Persian and in English, including Father & Son (Red Hen, 2003). He lives in Los Angeles.
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I wonder how disturbed one would have to be to take the life of a 25-year-old woman, and for such spurious reasons? We witness a similar type of disturbance in those who would shoot an elephant or other big game simply for sport. And how easily she deflected that sickness. Indeed, her simple prose mocks all those volumes of contrived judiciousness.
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A voice so resigned, so lonely, so exhausted by a religious dogma and its incomprehensible injustices & cruelty. “I heard you” is what I whispered after reading the letter…
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Yes, Majid has written about the tragedy of Ezzat and the sadness of his exile with elegant music. English is not his native language, so I’m always surprised that he can write with such precision.
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The poet responds: Ezzat is not resigned but combatant. If she wanted she could repent and save her life. But in spite of her love for life she is ready to accept death to defend her integrity and say no to theocracy. Of course, she could not write openly against the regime, because she wrote this will in Evin Prison’s “The Room of Last Will” . Please read the poem “A Witness for Ezzat” published previously in Vox Populi, to find the observations of a witness about her last
moments of life.
— Majid Naficy
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Heartbreaking. ________________________________
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Yes, heartbreaking.
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How heartbreaking and how comforting. The strangest combination. It’s the acceptance that strengthens the reader. How dare we take lives as though we were gods? It’s monstrous.
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Yes, monstrous.
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