And do not relinquish the search

For that limitless light

So that in the street, stars

Morph into comets

Extract from 'This Place (...)'

HAIRAN is a new anthology of poetry by Iranian women, compiled in the face of the violent attacks on life and liberty that began with the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran in September 2022. Amini was arrested and killed in police custody for not covering enough of her hair in public.

Here are 76 poems from a diverse cross-section of contemporary Iranian voices, accompanied by 'hair portraits' taken by the poets.

Alongside Sobati and Sarhandi-Williams, HAIRAN was edited by Sepideh Jodeyri, Sepideh Kouti, Anna Krasnowolska, Anahita Rezaei, and Abbas Shokri.