Living History: Parwana Fayyaz

My defining moment at Trinity

A Gift
When I left home in Kabul, I gifted myself
my mother’s ruby ring—
a token to mark farewell in good health.
Beyond the collapsing mountains and continents, I entered the Great Court.
The shoulder of the fountain pulled me in.
My earnest friend Mary took a photo of me— and I shared it with my father,
who shared it on his Facebook.
My headscarf was now shrinking around my neck, like a black swan in tranquility.
I was smiling.
Ninety-two likes and loves—
a hundred and nine comments of praise.
Father’s own words felt heavier—
Knowledge. Obligation.
Muslim Men. Muslim Women.
I. Congratulate. Parwana. Fayyaz.
PhD. Trinity. Cambridge.
Near. Future. You.
Serve. The. Country.
Isn’t it too dangerous?

Winter, 2019

Parwana Fayyaz matriculated in 2016. She is a graduate student, reading medieval Persian poetry in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.