Personal Reflection on War, Exile, and Persian Poetry's 'Conference of the Birds'

An individual from Tehran, now living in New York, reflects on the psychological impact of war in Iran through the lens of the 12th-century Persian poem 'The Conference of the Birds' by Attar of Nishapur. The author describes experiencing conflict from afar, feeling disconnected while monitoring events in Tehran, and finding parallels between the poem's allegorical journey and the experience of diaspora. The text references the Alborz Mountain range near Tehran and includes mention of artwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a piece by Leila Seyedzadeh. The reflection explores themes of displacement, identity, and the enduring connection to homeland.