Mohammad-Taqí Bahār: “Rid the heart of darkness” – a poem for Nowruz
Posted: March 19, 2012 Filed under: English Comments Off on Mohammad-Taqí Bahār: “Rid the heart of darkness” – a poem for Nowruz
Mohammad-Taqí Bahār (Iranian poet, 1884-1951)
Spring now, flowers are coming, there’s happiness in the green vine,
Blossoms are blooming – all except mine.
Free spirit, don’t lose heart, on New Year’s Day *,
I heard from the lips of a lily today:
Do not sing the seven illusions this New Year’s Eve **, I beg thee:
Complaint, curse, corruption, cacophony, clumsiness, chaos and cruelty.
The seven symbols make: of serene “sabzeh”, of scented “sonbol” and sweet “seeb”;
Of “senjed”, “samanu”, “seer” and “somaq”.
Send the seven symbols to the table of a lover.
Toss the seven illusions toward the door of an ill-wisher.
It’s New Year’s Eve – rid the heart of darkness.
Eventually this shadow-night will turn to brightness.
Carry out the New Year traditions and, God willing,
Bring back that feeling of excellent beginnings !
_____
Glossary:
“sabzeh” – a flowerpotful of newly-sprouted wheat
“sonbol” – the Hyacinth flower – native to Iran, early Spring bloomer
“seeb” – apple
“senjed” – fruit of the mountain-ash tree, or red date, a.k.a. jujube
“samanu” – a creamy wheat germ pudding
“seer” – garlic
“somaq” – red berries of the Sumac tree
Editor’s note: Also “serkeh” – vinegar – representing old age and patience…
_____
* The Persian/Iranian New Year is always the same day as the
First Day of Spring – March 20th this year. It is known as
Nowruz – “New Day”. Nowruz is pre-Islamic in origin, and is
celebrated by the Kurdish people as well.
** March 19th this year
Zócalo Poets 