The Only Woman Equal to Ali

A Tribute to the Veiled Greatness of Martyr Mansoureh Khajesteh

By Afshin Ala

The only woman equal to Ali
No one recognised her who was like herself
A hidden secret as vast as her smile
A mountain of dignity but veiled by clouds
In grandeur and silence, she was her own Damavand
Her secluded treasure desired no other gem
For she was beside her beloved husband
The only woman equal to Ali, from this world
Content to preserve the sanctity of her bond
The first lady of my homeland all her life
Like a shadow fading on her tall cypress
She never wished to be seen like a mirror
She was the frame of the beauty of her husband and child
The heavens were proud of her marital vow that she
Until death was red upon her oath
No one attained the grace of meeting her
For she was worthy of meeting her God