Venice masks

Monday 1 November 2021

Haft Seen - Shakila Azizzada

If it weren’t for the clouds,
I could
pick the stars
one by one
from this brief sky,
hang them
in your ever ruffled hair
and hear
you saying:
 
‘I’m like a silk rug –
the older it gets,
the lovelier it grows,
even if
two or three naughty kids
peed on it.’
 
Am I finally here?
 
Then let me spread
the Haft Seen tablecloth
in the middle of Dam Platz.
 
Even if it rains,
The Unknown Soldier
and a flock of pigeons
will be my guests.

Shakila Azizzada (born 1964) Afghanistan
Translated by Zuzanna Olszewska and Mimi Khalvati

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