Translated by Khashayar Mohammadi
through my neighbour’s window peeks -or through the unmanifest cracked wall of my house perhaps- from whom or whence been speaking the mystery-weaver of an inward smile such: that I am here, sitting from that cold, sour-breathing heart of overcast skies: aghast from your poisonous breath ...the heart retreats to a quiet corner the gloom of your poisonous breath (then) has carried along from everywhere each side that you are hidden from humanfolk that I am present your virtues visible in words your virtues supervise the goings on along the chill of these moments and When heat has irked from your character and has journeyed to weather systems far from your paralytic love of futility through all warm moments When you hand-walk along walls as if blind as if afloat as if disabled bedridden rubbing foreheads upon earth your aimless vision upon the throne of dirt-crusted stone When on your frowning profile a flickering ember morphs into an ashen wall When a cold fistful of ash has burnt your face whole When a clay vessel as if a gem in the lone dark well that is the ball of your eyes -not a breath upon a brilliant jewel...- it opens your eyes When the dead drool gushing, a cataract of false tears from your eyes and onto a face memorable and from the dent of your teeth -as if the serrated blade of an Ifrit- bursts forth laughter null and void upon all those moments bitter or not my vision gallops four-horse-drawn whether you’re occupied with yourself or others whether you decrease the load bearing on yourself or add to the load bearing on others I am watchful of your vices and virtues unwary of your cold interest in me the futile probe of people doesn’t burn any bridges for me no wonder I’m broken no wonder I’ve painted a broken picture upon broken material however bound to the chain I cast if I sit bitterly upon pursed lips if I add to your regret or solve a grievance perhaps I I introverted heartbroken in a smile in bitter, sorrowful days
Nimā Yushij (Persian: نیما یوشیج) (11 November 1897 – 4 January 1960), also called Nimā (نیما), born Ali Esfandiāri (علی اسفندیاری), was an Iranian poet. He is famous for his style of poetry which he popularized, called she’r-e now (شعر نو, lit. “new poetry”), also known as She’r-e Nimaa’i (شعر نیمایی, lit “Nima poetry”) in his honour after his death. He is considered as the father of modern Persian poetry.
Khashayar “Kess” Mohammadi (He/They) is a queer, Iranian born, Toronto-based Poet, Writer and Translator. They are the winner of the Vallum Poetry Prize 2021 and author of four poetry Chapbooks. Their debut poetry collection “Me, You, Then Snow” is out with Gordon Hill Press.