Birth

As much as the street is but nothing without lights
and the house without a tread, indifferent,
still, at the moment when you deny
me among so many strangers
on a breezeless night I have
felt the fear of an innocent shadow.

As much as the silence in the veins
of a green leaf is vitally valued
and the blue oblivion between
the waves of the sea transitory,
still, on the day that you stealthily
flee past my restless waiting
I hid the lamentation of the trembling quiver
on the roof of my mother's solitude.

My back was turned towards
the simplicity of the heavenly look
when he relinquished
me dreamless on the wind.

You, I've forgiven everything,
to everyone I offer you
and I am born anew.

From Esfahan, Hope Space by Nafiss Nia
Publishing House Bornmeer - The Netherland 2004
Translated from Dutch to English by Kate Huber