Poetry in Translation

The Seconds

By March 17, 2023No Comments

I wonder what’s behind your gaze

We are here to pass the moment
Here we are to conquer moments

Do not forget I am here

I’m watching you with all my might

With that fork, are you thinking of pulling out my eyes, I wonder.

What if you’ve poisoned the dish we’re having

We are here to pass the moment
Here we are to conquer moments

Have you made the bed for us?!

I wonder why the bedsheet is all red?!

What harm you’re up to do to me?!

I wonder if your belt is rather though

We are here to pass the moment
Here we are to conquer moments

The shimmering white under your shirt did not escape my glance

Do you always keep a rifle at home?!

Why the fruit knives are razor-sharp

Did you know I, too, carry a knife?!

Show me your fingernails!

Is that because you play guitar?

We are here today only to pass the moment

Here we are to conquer moments

What’s your favorite song?

Did you know I can yell quite loud

Why did you turn up the sound so high?!

So no one hear us making love?!

We are here today, by accident, to spend a few moments, only
Here we are today, by accident albite, to conquer moments

A glass of juice would be nice, after all the bustle;

What if you’ve tampered the juice?!

Are you positive you haven’t locked the frong door?!

Should I believe my eyes? Am I really leaving now?!

Wouldn’t you clutch on my neck when we say good-by?!

The moment is passed

We’ve been conquered

I am leaving

Should I be certian this cab taking me straight home?!

.
Barbod’e Shab 
Iranian poet and pioneer gay blogger
Tehran Iran 2006

Translated by Saghi Ghahraman Toronto Canada 2009