Sohrab

Iranian literature has given the world marvels of beauty, wisdom, and poise in poems written by its many outstanding poets. Our poets such as Hafez, Molana (Rumi), Saadi, and Omar Khayyam, just to name a few, are not only sources of national pride for Iranians, as they are known and revered by many around the world, they are sources of pride to humanity.

Traditional Iranian poetry is much celebrated by Iranians of all educational and social backgrounds. In Iran, children learn to cite poems when they are in kindergarten. The miracle of a poet such as Hafez is that all Iranians read his poetry and each and every one of them believes that he knows what Hafez is telling them.

Among the more contemporary Iranian poets, many of whom I absolutely love, this one is very special and dear to me. Sohrab Sepehri was a poet, a painter, and a philosopher all in one. Reading his poetry brings such joy and optimism to me. You can see the painter in his poetry, because the imagery he describes, the trees, the flowers, the mountains, and the green valleys of his childhood Kashan are so vivid you can “see” them in his words. Of all his poems, there is one I know by heart which never gets tiring for me. It is called “And a message in transit,” (Va Payami Dar Rah). I looked for a suitable translation of the poem in English, but couldn’t find one online. I will have to translate bits of it here for you. You will forgive my clumsy attempt at this. This poem gives me so much hope every time I read it.

In lieu of my Friday Dance Post, which I have neglected for a reason recently, for this weekend post I would like to ask those of you who read this, to share some poetry with the rest of us. It doesn’t have to be by an Iranian poet, or it doesn’t have to be a Farsi poem. Just something that means something to you. Elaborate and talk about it if you like, but just the poem is fine, too.

Have a good weekend you all. Rest, relax and be happy. Confess your love to those you love, and read them poetry, encouraging them to read you poetry. You will see the magic.

And A Message In Transit

Someday, I will come and I will bring a message. I will pour light into veins. And I will call: You whose baskets are filled with sleep!I brought apples, red apples of sun.

و پیامی در راه

........هر چه دشنام، از لب ها خواهم برچید

هر چه دیوار، از جا خواهم بر کند

رهزنان را خواهم گفت: کاروانی آمد بارش لبخند

ابر را، پاره خواهم کرد

من گره خواهم زد، چشمان را با خورشید، دل ها را با عشق، سایه ها را با آب، شاخه ها را با باد

و بهم خواهم پیوست، خواب کودک را با زمزمه’ زنجره ها

بادبادک ها، به هوا خواهم برد

گلدان ها، آب خواهم داد

....................

خواهم آمد سر هر دیواری، میخکی خواهم کاشت

پای هر پنجره ای، شعری خواهم خواند

هر کلاغی را، کاجی خواهم داد

مار را خواهم گفت: چه شکوهی دارد غوک

آشتی خواهم داد

آشنا خواهم کرد

راه خواهم رفت

نور خواهم خورد

دوست خواهم داشت