Excavating a Dream

A safe mine.
Fresh air.
A child's laughter.
A wife at ease.
A warm meal on the table.
A fair wage.
A quiet life.

Insurance, retirement,
Eight-hour shifts,
A union,
A contract that lasts.

A trip up north—
The sea, the sea, the sea.
Salt on the breeze,
Waves against his feet,
A holiday without worry.

The first of autumn,
A schoolbag, a classroom,
A future bright with promise.

And then—
In a flash, it all passed before his eyes.

The miner’s dream.
A heartbeat before the blast.


* The Tabas coal mine explosion was the deadliest mining accident in Iran, occurring on September 21, 2024. The incident, caused by a methane gas leak, led to an explosion in Block C of the mine. At the time of the explosion, more than 17 workers were present at the site. The accident took place around 9:00 PM.