Footsteps and Sunsets

Footsteps on the ceiling.

As the sun sets, the air cools rapidly and mists descends on the mountains like a veil, shrouding all. Darkness falls as light dies. The recent news about the Iranians installing centrifuges and noise about military strikes spells the end of my plans to visit Iran this May. I wonder why a country with so much oil needs nuclear energy? Maybe because sanctions have resulted in insufficient investment for oil production. What good is oil in the ground if you can't extract it? The whole issue sounds like the all to familiar chicken and egg story. Ironic isn't it. But life is full of ironies. Just like how the world's greatest democracy interferred in local Iranian politics indirectly, bringing Mr Ahmadinejad coming into power.

So, this May there will be no tracing of Cyrus' footsteps to war with the Greeks. Neither will there be homage paid to Hafez and awe attributed to Shah Abbas. But there will be refelctions, on why the leaders of Iran remain so firmly against the west when Shah Abbas and Cyrus were renowned for their tolerance.