Pondering Chickens
—Photo by n.ciano, Davis
SOMETIMES I SAY TO A POEM
—Hafiz
—Hafiz
Sometimes I say to a poem,
"Not now,
Can't you see I am bathing!"
But the poem usually doesn't care
And quips,
"Too bad, Hafiz,
No getting lazy—
You promised God you would help out
And He just came up with this
New tune."
Sometimes I say to a poem,
"I don't have the strength
To wring out another drop
Of the Sun."
And the poem will often
Respond
By climbing onto a barroom table:
Then lifts its skirt, winks,
Causing the whole sky to
Fall.
(trans. from the Persian by Daniel Landinsky)
_______________________
—Medusa
