At the Threshold of Time


In memory of Ahmad Shamlou

by Majid Naficy


Am I able to capture time
In a mass of ice?
So I must start again
When you opened the door of your office
Of your little journals for me
With your sleeves rolled up to the elbows
Smiles and the scent of printed letters.
I was crying at the threshold
Because I saw the man of my epics
Standing upright in front of me.
You said: "You, little one!
Why are you crying?"

Am I able to capture time
In a flood of alcohol?
So I must start again
When the lady of waters
Opened the door of your home for me
With hair down to her shoulders
And moved like a light shadow.
You and I sat at the window
with empty glasses and parched lips
And the thirst of years on our tongues.
You called: "Aida!
Where are you?"

But time is only time
The ice melts and drips
From the corners of my eyes,
Alcohol only floats my soul
And you remain alone
With the splendid torso of your poetry.
Your amputated legs
Is still jutting out of the earth,
Your sharpened pencils
Are still waiting for your hand
Leaning over the top of the mug
On your desk.
With each tip of a finger
That opens the leave of your fragrant books
They say: "No! the poet of our epics
Is still tall and upright
At the threshold of time.”

July 24, 2000