Manijeh Khorshidi

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (17)

17 Stories

367 karma pts

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“Let Me Live” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi 2023 Dedicated to Iranian women whose cry for equality has emerged since 1844 by Tahirah Qurrat Al-’Ayn, the Pure One (1818-1852) Let Me live An ancient cry calls from a distance The cry of Let Me Live a quiet cry from the heart with no word or sound a cry never acknowledged, never heeded...

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“Sea-like Oasis” by Manijeh Khorshidi

 Manijeh Khorshidi 2022 Sea-like Oasis A desert wanderer appears within a wrinkle in time before our eyes. We find him walking on an arid land where the horizon meets the edge of the earth, and the hot day merges into a cold night. With no place to live anymore, he has embraced life under the stars. The desert night approaches, so he camps for the night and looks fo...

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“Cloud Rider” by Manijeh Khorshidi

 Manijeh Khorshidi 2022 Cloud Rider When I was growing up, I heard two phrases that my parents used quite often, and up to this day, the effect of these words has remained with me. The first one, my father's favorite, was ‘the next year.’ The second one which strengthened the imagination was ‘watch the clouds.’ I heard this phrase mostly from my mo...

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“Grandfather's Tree” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi 2022 Grandfather’s Tree I find my grandfather sitting on a chair in the shady part of the backyard with closed eyes and a gentle smile on his face that betrays his calm. A book half-opened rests on his chest, and glasses sit on top of his head. The almost five-year-old me gets closer and puts her head on his lap. Without opening his eyes or uttering any wor...

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“I See Colors” by Manijeh Khorshidi

 Manijeh Khorshidi 2021 I See Colors A small black and white photo beckons me in. I enter the time of the past and the by-gone world. Then, I see colors. The brick wall happy being overtaken by the running crimson roses. The turquoise sky spreads enchantment in that space. I hear the birds busy with their performance. The yard primarily belongs to them. They have a ...

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“Seven Valleys” by Manijeh Khorshidi

 Manijeh Khorshidi, 2021 Seven Valleys They carry me to a house with a marble floor and high ceiling. The place is on the slopes of Mount Damavand in the north of Tehran. The sadness of leaving my friends behind changes into a joyful feeling when I arrive in that spacious place. There are plenty of beautiful objects and decorative pieces around. They are all in harm...

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“The Mountain and the Valley” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi, 2021 Listening to nature's echoed words and beholding its posture, we perceive the language of dichotomy. The contrast permeates every aspect of nature. But it creates wholeness in our surroundings. The awareness of this most beautiful secret helps us to know about ourselves. I see the mountains standing tall and visible to all, while the valley below is hidden. B...

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“Merchant's Dream” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi, 2021 Merchant’s Dream It is the mid-nineteen century when a merchant in a town near in Iran has an astonishing and meaningful dream. A dream that changed his life and the life of his family drastically. We all reach an age that we think quality. We purchase less but, we look for quality; quality purses, trips, books, and friendship. And th...

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“Gems of Inestimable Value” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi, 2021 “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.” My father, as a teacher, lived by this powerful and profound quote. His students flourished under this embracing and inclusive method of teaching. But it took me years to understand the true meaning of these words and the reason behind my father's attachment to them.

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“Bay Window” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshid, 2021 Bay Window Do you wish the bay window to extend up closer to the ceiling, Mam? The constructor's question interrupts Mahtab’s thoughts dwelling in another time, another space. It is a summer day, and the Caspian Sea seductively invites her to immerse in its blue water. The zephyr gently moves her shoulder-length black and silv...

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“Where is Home?” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi, 2021 Where is Home? A happy childhood makes you long to go back to that time and space. And that is the case with me. If it was not for my early years of a carefree childhood, I might not withstand life's unexpected and turbulent episodes. My parents' house had a yard with a flower garden, trees, and butterflies. I see myself at four chasin...

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“The Beloved and the Lover” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi, 2021 The Beloved and the Lover It is just another day for the inhabitants of this ancient city in the western region of the Persian Empire. Sun has risen on that Fall day, and people are busy with their business. Then, two strangers meet, each with an ocean capacity. A seemingly uneventful day becomes a turning point in the history of literature, making the city a ...

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“The Dream” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshdid, 2021 The Dream It was twilight time. Two riders, a woman of young age and an aged man, have been galloping through the forests for the last few hours. Those who were following them were out of sight for the time being. They stopped, dismounted the horses, and let them rest. They realized soon that they are still in danger and cannot linger there for a long time. Bu...

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“The Mountain of Joy and Grief” by Manijeh Khorshidi

A long time ago, in a faraway land lived a woman named Anushah. Her simple abode in the mountainous area had sheltered her for years. Caring for the goats, sheep, and chickens filled her days. On that delightful summer day, the breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountain seemed especially grand. The slope of the mountain had the company of animals grazing on it. The red poppies had covered the area. It ...

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“The Pure One” by Manijeh Khorshidi

Manijeh Khorshidi, April 2021 A character stumbling, upon a library book that changes the course of their life for better or worse. I love biographies, especially when it is about women. The discovery of this love happened when I was a young teenager. I was raised in a family of readers and note-takers. My father had many books. Equally, he had many notebook...

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Author bio

I am a retired dentist living in the Midwest with my husband and published poet, Robert Malouf.