Early in the morning, around five, the mothers rushed
to Newroz Square with their white headscarves.
The soldiers blocked the seven gates and said:
“Do not pass through these gates as a Kurd, but as a human without clothing.
Undress and we will let you through.”
Naked people streamed onto the square,
in the light of the Newroz Fire, they
covered themselves with spring flowers.
Rest assured,
we are creating a being out of nothing.
Every time you devour our brains1,
we recreate ourselves
and blossom in the Newroz Fire.
- 1 In Kurdish mythology, King Dahak devours the brains of children so he can heal. The blacksmith Kawa rebels against him and kills the king. The fire is lit as a symbol of freedom.
