I began writing poetry since before my teen years (a long time ago) and entered many poetry contests where I placed from time to time. My biggest inspiration was my mother, an avid poetry writer. In fact, in 2020, I published a book of her poems titled "The Lady Veteran Has Her Say" and in 2021, I followed with "Welcome to Hell" which tells the true story about the kidnapping of my daughter by her father and his taking her to his country, Iran. The book reveals my time getting a visa to travel to Iran during a time when they were telling Americans to leave their country and what it was like being in Iran at a time of war where many people (mostly government) hated me and wished me dead. My passport was taken by the Iran Airline pilot in London before we ever took off and concerned as I was, my goal was to reunite with my daughter after nine long months of separation while I fought with the Iranian Embassy for permission to go. I reside in Triangle, Virginia, a small area outside of Washington, DC near my daughter and granddaughter. I would be remiss if I didn't declare that I have had many titles in my years but none as rewarding and fulfilling as being a proud Great Grandma, or "ggma"    

Poetry Awards and Publications

"Great Poems of the Western World Vol. II"
"Treasure the Moment"

Published Books on Amazon

"The Lady Veteran Has Her Say"
"Welcome to Hell"

Woman, Life, Freedom (One act play)
Published at NOVA Community College
Woodbridge Campus Paper/2022

Published Short story with NOVA Community College

Woman, Life, Freedom Setting: home of Ammo late one evening, a small two room condo with low light, a small dining room table with a backgammon game displayed and two teacups. A small radio sitting on a curio cabinet in the corner. Two men are sitting at the table discussing their country, past and current events, and playing backgammon. Characters: Ammo – an old (67-68) Iranian, Muslim codger who lives alone above his own mechanic shop after losing his young wife and child during childbirth. Hamid – 71-year-old Iranian businessman and Muslim friend of Ammo’s since childhood Time: present day Iran Warning: some conversation/humor may be offensive. “Iran is in the midst of a women-led uprising demanding the end of clerical rule with the slogan “Women, Life, Freedom.” The nationwide protest, were set off by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the morality police and beaten to death.” Ammo: (chuckling) Have you heard what’s happening in the cities with the flying turbans? Hamid: Yes, I heard. The young girls are going crazy. Running up and knocking off the turbans of the mullahs. Shameful. They are religiously learned men and are due our respect. Ammo: Those reprobates. They don’t deserve respect from anyone. Not even God. Why, if I was younger and could run faster, I’d be out there doing it too. I think it’s funny! (Ammo laughs) They are arresting women right now who are protesting that young girl’s death recently for having her hajib on wrong. It’s wrong what the authorities are doing right now. She was sitting in her brother’s car, minding her business. Hamid: The law right now is that women must cover their hair, and it must be obeyed. It’s all out of respect for women to have them covered. We respect our women, more so than American’s do, for heaven’s sake. Ammo: Says who? The religious laws about women were never enforced until that stupid revolution in 1979. You remember how nice things were for women when the Shah was here. Why the women dressed nice…no chadors, fashions from Paris. Aways had their hair done. Wore a little makeup and nail polish. I remember you used to like to take Osra (Hamid’s wife) for walks in the park on Saturday night, stopping for ice cream. Her all dressed up. You didn’t complain. Why boys and girls can’t even date anymore. Makeup & nail polish has been banned. Women have to be covered up by a chador or long tunic. You like this better? Hamid: Yes, back then was nice, but now she wears no makeup, doesn’t do her hair … except a little henna now and then … and she wears a scarf because that’s the law. The law is the law for now. I love her either way. Take your turn. Ammo: Law, schmall, nonsense! Half of Iranians wants to drop headscarf laws, believing that wearing a hijab should be a private choice – the other half our men. (Hamid chuckles) The women have no right s right now and they did when the Shah governed. Now they can barely find a good job or get an education. They can’t vote. Treated and classified as second-class citizens. Hamid: Speaking of rights. Did you hear about the woman that was being arrested and when the officer was handcuffing her and telling her she had a right to remain silent, she started laughing. Ammo: No, what happened? Hamid: She told him she was just happy to finally have a right. (Hamid laughs) Ammo: Eh baba. Sho’ma de’vana. (Ammo chuckles) Take your turn. Do you want more tea? (Ammo gets up and serves fresh tea for both) Hamid: I’m not crazy! That was funny. But I remember our women back then. We have some of the most beautiful women in the world. Remember when they used to compete in those worldwide beauty contests? (Hamid picks up his teacup to drink) Ammo: I remember. That was a long time ago, my friend. My Firoozeh (his deceased wife) was beautiful enough to have competed in one of those contests. Now, our young girls are embarrassed to wear the tunics and head scarfs in the FEW sports they can participate in when the Olympics are taking place. It’s humiliating for them! Hamid: Our women are protected, Ammo. They have husbands to care for them and fathers and brothers until then. They don’t face rape like in some countries. The mullahs are trying to teach us God’s way toward women. Women are special in Islam. That’s why it tells us we should lower our gaze and guard their modesty and they should not display their beauty and ornaments … except to their husbands. You see – no rapes. “Allah’s Apostle said: An unveiled woman is a cause of corruption. Once she goes out Satan beautifies her in the eyes of men to seduce her as well as them.” The Quran says, “respect to all women and treat them well.” Ammo: Oh, come on, Hamid. We have rapes. It’s just, if the woman is young, she is sometimes forced to marry the guy. Men have more rights regarding divorce than women do. Muslim men may marry up to four women, but no such provision is made for Muslim women. A man’s inheritance is to be a portion of two females. It’s okay to beat wives. Should I go on? Hamid: Allah’s Apostle said: “Do not prevent women (wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, etc.) from praying at the mosques. Ammo: Go on and finish the quote … “Yet, their prayer at home is better for them.” Hamid: Ammo, calm down. You are getting excited. I brought pastry. Let me bring it. (Hamid goes across the room and returns with a pastry box) Let me say this to lighten the game. It’s your turn, by the way. I met a Muslim man who said he had the Quran on DVD. The trouble started when I asked him to burn a copy for me. (Hamid slaps his leg and laughs loudly) Ammo: Oh, you and your jokes. Thank you for the pastry. They look delicious! But you just proved my point. These fanatics are crazy … and, and they are running our country. And ruining it! We are the laughingstock of the world. Hamid: Now wait a minute. The American sanctions are crushing our economy. And that’s a fact. Ammo: You wait a minute. That’s because we keep doing stupid things, threatening people, like America. When the Shah was in power, we had great relations with the American people. Hamid: We were their puppets! Ammo: Tell me the truth, were you better off then or now? Could you be more successful if these god-forsaken mullahs weren’t in power? Be honest. Hamid: I admit it, I was better off. And, yes, I probably would be more successful if things were different in some ways. It’s hard to get ahead these days if you aren’t a devout Muslim who attends the mosque religiously. I’ll say that. Ammo: That damn revolution in 1979 started by Ayatollah Khomeini destroyed this country, including the women. First thing he did was get into a war with Iraq that lasted eight years that was based on nothing but revenge. Khomeini was pissed off that Iraq kicked him out of their county after all those years. That’s what that was about. Set our country bac k years and maimed or killed most of our young men and boys. Hamid: Yeah, I heard a joke that Muslim scientists have invented a time-travel device that can transport an entire country back to the dark ages. They’re calling it “Islam.” Not real funny when it’s your country they are talking about. Ammo: Point taken. All Khomeini did for this country was build cemeteries. He wanted an Islamic nation regardless what the people wanted. Your turn. These pastries are wonderful. Fresh tea? Hamid: You’re a good host, my friend. Fine dinner, backgammon, good conversation, and wonderful music on the radio. Ammo: You know that makes us criminals! Hamid: Huh? Ammo: Two things, running down the government and listening to the radio. Music is still illegal, you know. Hamid: You can’t take everything from a man, besides good friends can be comfortable with each other. Ammo: Do you think the women can be successful in something the men have tried a couple times over the years? They are not letting up. Taking to the streets still. Burning their hijabs and scarfs. Cutting their hair. Getting arrested. They are serious and dying for it. Hamid: Many men are taking to the streets with them now and they aren’t letting up. Be just like the women to show the men up and accomplish something the men couldn’t do! That might start another type of revolution. Could our country make some changes, sure, but another revolution. I don’t know. Could make the country worse! And we definitely can’t afford another war. We lost a lot of boys and men during those eight years. Was a shame! I know Osra is silently behind them, and I don’t mind that. She misses the good times. Comes home complaining about the prices in the market for fruit and meat every time she goes to the bazaar. These damn sanctions are killing our economy, but she still provides within budget, bless her heart. (Hamid stands and reaches for his coat and hat) Ammo: It’s awful the human suffering going on though. Well, my friend, come again. Hamid: I will my friend, I will. Thank you for your hospitality. Ammo: Hey, Hamid, what do Iranians and Americans have in common? Hamid: I have no idea, my friend. Ammo: They both hate the United States government. (Laughing, they both walk toward the door) One Act Play 2022