Allen Ginsburg in Tehran/A poem by Mahnaz Badihian

Allen Ginsburg in Tehran

 

Allen was walking

In Vanak Square 

Next to the poet Ahmad Shamloo

The book “Ida in Mirror “

  in his hand, had no meaning!

One can say the world is simply

 beautiful as is

An  inch of earth every where

has the smell of kindness.

When there is no discord

 

Allen had an intoxicated laughter

The poet Shamloo was crying for

depressed flowers

 

This is my ancestral land

Its sorrow has the smell of basil leafs

Where Morning glories seek refuge

On the tall trunks of poplar trees

 

You are asking me

What kind of concept

exists in the notion of this yellow cup

 

I replied , black or white or yellow

Is an archaic meaning

 

The lasting color is the unity of our voices