The Lioness Of Iran

Sometimes we forget that Iran is more than a collection of American-hating religious fundamentalists, and that there is a long, rich intellectual and artistic tradition that is very different from how their culture in generally perceived in the West.  Simin Behbahani, known as the "Lioness of Iran" was a nationally-loved poet and outspoken critic of the Islamic revolution.  Harassed and beaten, she continued to write and speak out, but she was so popular that the government could never completely silence her.  Throughout it all, she was a patriot who believed that Iran would one day be great again.

My country, I will build you again,
If need be, with bricks made from my life.
I will build columns to support your roof,
If need be, with my bones.

She died August 19th, aged 87.

Adapted from an obituary in The Economist.  Drawn with a Pentel Hybrid Technica .05 pen, no pencil.