Minab, Iran

Schoolgirls always carry realms

of sorrow and brilliance--one heavy,

one light

That morning's class of girl students

carried backpacks pink and purple--

The bags, almost as tall as young

scholars, contained school books,

pencil boxes, markers and pens,

slip-on khimars, homework folders,

prayer guides, journals, tiny plush

animals, hair clips, cleansing wipes,

brushes, favorite novels--School

building used lot adjacent old

military base.

tomahawk missiles

drop like dark subsonic spars--

decimate girls' school

Brilliant girls everywhere

Always bear great sorrows--

Laura Stickney 2026

Notes:

Minab, Iran--Site of bombing of

primary school on first day of war.

At least 168 people died, many of

them school children.

khimars--head coverings

This poem is written in the form

of a haibun--a Japanese format 

combining a prose poem with a 

haiku at end.

photograph by Laura Stickney of 

vintage black glass mourning brooch

from poet's collection.