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One of Iran's most vocal and outspoken poets died this morning in Tehran at the age of 87. Known as the "Lioness of Iran," Simin Behbahani reportedly had been in a coma for more than two weeks.

For millions of Iranians all over the world, Behbahani represented the invincible power of the Iranian psyche. Her words were piercing and fierce, lamenting on the lack of freedom of expression through the ages. For six decades, many Iranians found refuge in her poetry as a way to nurture their hunger for dialogue, peace, human rights and equality.

Farzaneh Milani, who teaches Persian literature and women's studies at the University of Virginia, has been translating Behbahani's work for decades. She has said that much of Iran's history can be studied through Behbahani's poems, as her words stir the mind and quench the thirst of those who can only whisper their laments away from the public eye. Milani confirmed Behbahani's passing this morning: "Our dear Simin Khanum [lady], a woman I loved and a poet I admired, died this morning, even though her voice is undying."

One of the most famous of Behbahani's poems, "A Cup of Sin," reflects on the paradox of fear and hope:


Born July 20, 1927, in Tehran, Behbahani was Iran's nightingale, publishing 19 books of poetry over the course of six decades. Her first book, 

, was published in 1951. She was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.


Although Behbahani had been barred from leaving Iran for the past four years or so, her words continued to permeate and enlighten beyond the borders of her homeland. In March 2011, President Obama recited one of her poems as part of a Persian New Year greeting to the Iranian people:

Behbahani's death brings stillness to our eternity. I want her to keep singing.


We'll leave you with a poem Behbahani wrote about 

Arts and Culture

Davar Ardalan

Author

For millions of Iranians all over the world, Behbahani represented the invincible power of the Iranian psyche. For six decades, many Iranians found refuge in her poetry as a way to nurture their hunger for dialogue, peace, human rights and equality.

Poet known as the 'Lioness of Iran' dies at 87

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