‘Fly Freely’ - Afghan Women’s Poetry
I’m going through our selection of poems written by young and old Talibs and remembered a different set of poems that I translated from the Dari a few years ago, those of Nadia Anjuman. I’ll be republishing these poems online soon – since the old website has lapsed and doesn’t work any more – but you can order the full printed version on the HAWCA website. It includes an essay written by Christina Lamb, the complete side-by-side English-Dari translation of Nadia Anjuman’s book of poems as well as four stories written by victims of violence against women. This is one of my favourites among the collection: Fly Freely (2001)
On a day when my thoughts bring me firewood
as a gift instead of cold feelings
On a day when my eyes are wide open
As if
By seeing a withered leaf, oceans would flow
On a day when my hands are inspired
to weave clothes full of wheat and roses
for the body of this creation
On a day when my lullaby can
grant sleep to the eyes of the sick and street-bound children
On a day when with soaring melodies
pray
to the fire spirits
On that day,
I will write a poem, a great romance
sweet as a palm tree and as enchanting as the moon.