My poem has the scent of Nadia
In memory of Nadia Anjuman

December 7, 2005
iranian.com
[Persian text]

When I light the oven early morning
My bread looks like Dari poetry
I find its starter in my dreams
And I knead it between sleep and waking.
My wheat comes from the land of Toos
Where Ferdowsi spread its seeds,
And my poppy seeds from the valley of Yamgan
Where Naser Khosrow planted their roots,
And my oven pebbles from the banks of Amoo River
Where Roodaki called them soft as silk,
And my firewood from the grove of Balkh reeds
Where Rumi kept the fire of his love.

But when I take it out of the oven
It looks like a Sangak bread
Shaped as a Woman in her chadour,
Shouting voicelessly: "It's me,
The poet of 'Dark Flower,'
Ravaged by my step-husband in Herat."

My bread looks like Dari poetry
Perfumed with the scent of Nadia.
If you want it hot and fresh
Put your hand in the fire. [Persian text]

November 15, 2005  [Persian text]

Note
* Dari Persian poetry began in the 9th century in the great Khorasan region. Today this area is divided among Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and some Turkish central Asian countries. The four classical Persian poets whose names are mentioned in the poem as well as Nadia Anjuman all come from that region.