World Poetry WorkshopWorld Poetry WorkshopRavi ShankarRavi Shankar

With selected poems from With selected poems from Language for a New Century: Language for a New Century:

Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, and BeyondContemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, and Beyond

February 10, 2009February 10, 2009Whitney Young Magnet High SchoolWhitney Young Magnet High School

University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago

Center for International StudiesCenter for International StudiesUniversity of Chicago University of Chicago Center for East Asian StudiesCenter for East Asian Studies

Co-Sponsored byCo-Sponsored by

The SilencedThe Silencedby Nadia Anjumanby Nadia Anjuman

I have no desire for talking, my tongue is tied up. I have no desire for talking, my tongue is tied up. Now that I am abhorred by my time, do I sing or not?Now that I am abhorred by my time, do I sing or not?What could I say about honey, when my mouth is as bitter as poison. What could I say about honey, when my mouth is as bitter as poison. Alas! The group of tyrants have muffled my mouth. Alas! The group of tyrants have muffled my mouth. This corner of imprisonment, grief, failure and regrets—This corner of imprisonment, grief, failure and regrets—I was born for nothing that my mouth should stay sealed. I was born for nothing that my mouth should stay sealed. I know O! my heart, It is springtime and the time for joy. I know O! my heart, It is springtime and the time for joy. What could I, a bound bird, do without flight. What could I, a bound bird, do without flight. Although, I have been silent for long, I have not forgotten to sing, Although, I have been silent for long, I have not forgotten to sing, Because my songs whispered in the solitude of my heart. Because my songs whispered in the solitude of my heart. Oh, I will love the day when I break out of this cage, Oh, I will love the day when I break out of this cage, Escape this solitary exile and sing wildly. Escape this solitary exile and sing wildly. I am not that weak willow twisted by every breeze. I am not that weak willow twisted by every breeze. I am an Afghan girl and known to the whole world. I am an Afghan girl and known to the whole world.

Translated from the Dari by Abdul S. Shayek Translated from the Dari by Abdul S. Shayek

Exile House Exile House by Tenzin Tsundueby Tenzin Tsundue

Our tiled roof dripped Our tiled roof dripped and the four walls threatened to fall apartand the four walls threatened to fall apart

but we were to go home soon,but we were to go home soon,we grew papayas we grew papayas

in front of the housein front of the housechilies in the garden chilies in the garden

and and changmas changmas for our fences,for our fences,then pumpkins rolled down the cowshed thatchthen pumpkins rolled down the cowshed thatch

calves trotted out of the manger,calves trotted out of the manger,grass on the roof,grass on the roof,

beans sprouted and beans sprouted and climbed down the vines,climbed down the vines,

money plants crept in through the windows,money plants crept in through the windows,our house seems to have grown roots.our house seems to have grown roots.The fences have grown into a jungleThe fences have grown into a jungle

now how can I tell my children now how can I tell my children where we came from? where we came from?

Note: Note: ChangmasChangmas are flexible and flourishing trees usually planted as fencing are flexible and flourishing trees usually planted as fencing

A Child Who Returned from There A Child Who Returned from There Told Us Told Us

by Dilawar Karadaghiby Dilawar Karadaghi

Anfal stopped us on the way to datingAnfal stopped us on the way to dating

searched our pockets, tore the letters, set fire to the searched our pockets, tore the letters, set fire to the pictures,pictures,

locked the songs away from our voices.locked the songs away from our voices.

Anfal stole our school’s ‘good morning’,Anfal stole our school’s ‘good morning’,

‘‘good evening’ of the neighborhood,good evening’ of the neighborhood,

‘‘good night’ of our woolen quilts,good night’ of our woolen quilts,

snatched greeting from the lovers’ lips,snatched greeting from the lovers’ lips,

withered the flower on the collar of Mamleh’s songs,withered the flower on the collar of Mamleh’s songs,

crushed Sia Chemana in Kakemem’s throat,crushed Sia Chemana in Kakemem’s throat,

wrecked the play-house of the little Khatuzins.wrecked the play-house of the little Khatuzins.

Anfal entered while we were still eating.Anfal entered while we were still eating.

A banquet of love had drawn us together.A banquet of love had drawn us together.

Twilight was slinking against confidence,Twilight was slinking against confidence,

salving yesterday’s pain.salving yesterday’s pain.

A night of affection was whistling beyond the A night of affection was whistling beyond the window.window.

Suddenly the lamps were killedSuddenly the lamps were killed

the evening flew away,the evening flew away,

the night screamed,the night screamed,

the sun said its last goodbye to the green conifersthe sun said its last goodbye to the green conifers

at the edge of the village.at the edge of the village.

Aaie, Anfal separated wood from stone,Aaie, Anfal separated wood from stone,

toddlers from their babble, toddlers from their babble,

trees from birdsong,trees from birdsong,

the sky from stars,the sky from stars,

the village from the mountain,the village from the mountain,

the river from its murmur.the river from its murmur.

Waie, Anfal deceived the treesWaie, Anfal deceived the trees

set out to hunt the moon,set out to hunt the moon,

poisoned the honeybees,poisoned the honeybees,

planted mines in the fields and the roads,planted mines in the fields and the roads,

strangled the wheat stalk.strangled the wheat stalk.

Anfal said, don’t worry childrenAnfal said, don’t worry children

It’s just a trip and you will be back.It’s just a trip and you will be back.

Anfal said, we will picnicAnfal said, we will picnic

and chewed two green villages on the way,and chewed two green villages on the way,

tore our letters on the way,tore our letters on the way,

set the pictures alight,set the pictures alight,

stole ‘hello’ from the children’s mouths.stole ‘hello’ from the children’s mouths.

Anfal lied to us, it was no picnic.Anfal lied to us, it was no picnic.

It was darkland, just darkland.It was darkland, just darkland.

We were 182,000 staresWe were 182,000 stares

unable to see each other,unable to see each other,

we could only hear each other’s heartbeat.we could only hear each other’s heartbeat.

Anfal could see all of usAnfal could see all of us

but did not hear our heartbeat.but did not hear our heartbeat.

Anfal blindfolded us with a black clothAnfal blindfolded us with a black cloth

And grinned as it asked us:And grinned as it asked us:

Tell me, children, what do you see?Tell me, children, what do you see?

We said: nothing! Nothing but darkness.We said: nothing! Nothing but darkness.

Anfal closed the sky above our headsAnfal closed the sky above our heads

and gathered the earth below our feet.and gathered the earth below our feet.

Anfal separated us, lined us upAnfal separated us, lined us up

and said: open your hands, children.and said: open your hands, children.

With a wet cane, it delivered With a wet cane, it delivered

182,000 blows to our palms182,000 blows to our palms

our fingers fell off.our fingers fell off.

Anfal filled our eyes and breath with dust.Anfal filled our eyes and breath with dust.

separated wood from stoneseparated wood from stone

and everything from everything else.and everything from everything else.

Anfal said: look, children, what do you see?Anfal said: look, children, what do you see?

We said: nothing but the desert.We said: nothing but the desert.

Anfal lied. We saw nothing but the desert.Anfal lied. We saw nothing but the desert.

We heard nothing but our own heartbeatsWe heard nothing but our own heartbeats

as we were dying.as we were dying.

Translated from the Kurdish by Choman HardiTranslated from the Kurdish by Choman Hardi

In Water In Water by Amin Kamilby Amin Kamil

You’re fraught with words, better go sit in water;You’re fraught with words, better go sit in water;For they swell with meaning and glow more in water.For they swell with meaning and glow more in water.Look for the heart in the chest and roast it on embersLook for the heart in the chest and roast it on embersLook for the blood in the liver and drink it in water.Look for the blood in the liver and drink it in water.Tomorrow Kashmir will stretch in the sun like a desert,Tomorrow Kashmir will stretch in the sun like a desert,The day after Ladakh and Leh will float in water.The day after Ladakh and Leh will float in water.Under the hollow banks frightened waves take refuge;Under the hollow banks frightened waves take refuge;Lord Jaldev is born with fire in water.Lord Jaldev is born with fire in water.At mid-day, even the sun gets soaked in sweat;At mid-day, even the sun gets soaked in sweat;At the end, even the moon catches fire in water.At the end, even the moon catches fire in water.Even in excitement, sometimes, people set towns on fire;Even in excitement, sometimes, people set towns on fire;Even for fun, sometimes, people pour poison in water.Even for fun, sometimes, people pour poison in water.The lost cow is looking for the elevensome, would someone tell her?The lost cow is looking for the elevensome, would someone tell her?Five drowned in dry land, six are aflame in water.Five drowned in dry land, six are aflame in water.The peddler of ghazals, this Kamil, makes fiery callsThe peddler of ghazals, this Kamil, makes fiery callsBut the fatefrost people are coldly sleeping in water.But the fatefrost people are coldly sleeping in water.

Translated from Kashmiri by Muneebur RahmanTranslated from Kashmiri by Muneebur Rahman

GhazalGhazalby Agha Shahid Aliby Agha Shahid Ali

What will suffice for a true-love knot? Even the rain?What will suffice for a true-love knot? Even the rain?

But he has bought grief’s lottery, bought even the rain.But he has bought grief’s lottery, bought even the rain.

““our glosses/wanting in this world” “Can you remember?”our glosses/wanting in this world” “Can you remember?”

Anyone! when we thought the lovers taught even the rain?Anyone! when we thought the lovers taught even the rain?

After we died—That was it!—God left us in the dark,After we died—That was it!—God left us in the dark,

And as we forgot the dark, we forgot even the rain.And as we forgot the dark, we forgot even the rain.

Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house.Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house.

For mixers, my love, you’d poured—what?—even the rain.For mixers, my love, you’d poured—what?—even the rain.

How did the Enemy love you—with earth? air? and fire?How did the Enemy love you—with earth? air? and fire?

He held just one thing back till he got even: the rain.He held just one thing back till he got even: the rain.

This is God’s site for a new house of executions?This is God’s site for a new house of executions?

You swear by the Bible, Despot, even the rain.You swear by the Bible, Despot, even the rain.

After the bones—those flowers—this was found in the urn:After the bones—those flowers—this was found in the urn:

the lost river, ashes from the ghat, even the rain.the lost river, ashes from the ghat, even the rain.

What was I to prophecy if not the end of the world?What was I to prophecy if not the end of the world?

A salt pillar for the lonely lot, even the rain.A salt pillar for the lonely lot, even the rain.

How the air raged, desperate, streaming the earth with flames—How the air raged, desperate, streaming the earth with flames—

to help burn down my house, Fire sought even the rain. to help burn down my house, Fire sought even the rain.

He would raze the mountains, he would level the waves;He would raze the mountains, he would level the waves;

he would, to smooth his epic pilot, even the rain.he would, to smooth his epic pilot, even the rain.

New York belongs at daybreak to only me, just me—New York belongs at daybreak to only me, just me—

to make this claim Memory’s brought even the rain.to make this claim Memory’s brought even the rain.

They’ve found the knife that killed you, but whose prints are They’ve found the knife that killed you, but whose prints are these?these?

No one has such small hands, Shahid, not even the rain.No one has such small hands, Shahid, not even the rain.

SongSong by Al-Saddiq al-Raddi by Al-Saddiq al-Raddi

Facing down wind in a dust-storm,Facing down wind in a dust-storm,wrapped up in his cloakwrapped up in his cloakand wearing a hat that can’t make him vanish —and wearing a hat that can’t make him vanish —

this skinny manthis skinny manscans the horizon,scans the horizon,gathering — but not quite yet — flowersgathering — but not quite yet — flowersuntil the moment you meetuntil the moment you meet

(…but stuck in this narrow alleyway(…but stuck in this narrow alleyway

among mountains of rubbishamong mountains of rubbish

he longs to lift up his beakhe longs to lift up his beak

unfurl his wingsunfurl his wings

and take flight…)and take flight…)

Translated from the Arabic by Hafiz Kheir and Sarah MaguireTranslated from the Arabic by Hafiz Kheir and Sarah Maguire

Black MapBlack Mapby Bei Daoby Bei Dao

in the end, cold crows piece togetherin the end, cold crows piece togetherthe night: a black map the night: a black map II’ve come home—the way back ’ve come home—the way back longer than the wrong roadlonger than the wrong roadlong as a lifelong as a life

bring the heart of winterbring the heart of winterwhen spring water and horse pillswhen spring water and horse pillsbecome the words of nightbecome the words of nightwhen memory barkswhen memory barksa rainbow haunts the black marketa rainbow haunts the black market

my father's life-spark small as a peamy father's life-spark small as a peaI am his echoI am his echoturning the corner of encountersturning the corner of encountersa former lover hides in a winda former lover hides in a windswirling with lettersswirling with letters

Beijing, let meBeijing, let metoast your lamplightstoast your lamplightslet my white hair leadlet my white hair leadthe way through the black mapthe way through the black mapas though a storm were taking you to flyas though a storm were taking you to fly I wait in line until the small windowI wait in line until the small windowshuts: O the bright moonshuts: O the bright moonI’ve come home—reunionsI’ve come home—reunionsare less than goodbyesare less than goodbyesonly one less only one less

Translated from the Chinese by Eliot WeinbergerTranslated from the Chinese by Eliot Weinberger

At sunsetAt sunset

only one wish—only one wish—

to become a wolf to become a wolf

beneath a fat full moonbeneath a fat full moon

**

I have spent the whole day being someone else’s story againI have spent the whole day being someone else’s story again

and as I journey homewardand as I journey homeward

the trees are watching methe trees are watching me

**

In Mount Kariwang in Chongson, Kangwon ProvinceIn Mount Kariwang in Chongson, Kangwon Province

the falling streamsthe falling streams

are busy, but busier are are busy, but busier are

the minnows, the carplingsthe minnows, the carplings

swimming upwardsswimming upwards

against the currentagainst the current

**

Rowing with just one oarRowing with just one oar

I lost that oarI lost that oar

For the first time I looked round at the wide stretch of waterFor the first time I looked round at the wide stretch of water

**

Outside the cave the howling wind and rainOutside the cave the howling wind and rain

InsideInside

the silent speech of bats filling the ceilingthe silent speech of bats filling the ceiling

**

"I’ve come, dear."I’ve come, dear.

Harsh winter’s over now“Harsh winter’s over now“

His wife’s tomb laughs quietlyHis wife’s tomb laughs quietly

**

Yes, some say they can recall a thousand yearsYes, some say they can recall a thousand years

and some say they’ve already visited the next thousand yearsand some say they’ve already visited the next thousand years

On a windy dayOn a windy day

I am waiting for a busI am waiting for a bus

**

We went to AuschwitzWe went to Auschwitz

saw the mounds of glassessaw the mounds of glasses

saw the piles of shoessaw the piles of shoes

On the way backOn the way back

we each stared out of a different windowwe each stared out of a different window

**

Following the tracks of an animal in the snowFollowing the tracks of an animal in the snow

I looked back at my own tracksI looked back at my own tracks

**

Two people are eatingTwo people are eating

sitting facing each othersitting facing each other

An ordinary everyday thingAn ordinary everyday thing

and at the same timeand at the same time

the best thingthe best thing

Like they say, it’s loveLike they say, it’s love

**

Without a soundWithout a sound

resin buried underground is turning into amberresin buried underground is turning into amber

while up above the first snow is fallingwhile up above the first snow is falling

**

Along the pathAlong the path

a roebucka roebuck

is quietly contemplating the moon in a streamis quietly contemplating the moon in a stream

**

The beak of a chick pecking at feed—The beak of a chick pecking at feed—

my studies are far from completemy studies are far from complete

**

When the stalls were closing last market dayWhen the stalls were closing last market day

I suddenly glimpsedI suddenly glimpsed

Samman’s ma who died last yearSamman’s ma who died last year

I suppose she came back to do some shoppingI suppose she came back to do some shopping

**

Mother hen outside the eggMother hen outside the egg

baby chick inside the egg—baby chick inside the egg—

the two are really one single body the two are really one single body

**

What’s it all mean?What’s it all mean?

Peach blossom petalsPeach blossom petals

have been drifting all day long into the empty househave been drifting all day long into the empty house

**

Thirty years agoThirty years ago

a starving woman sawa starving woman saw

a thousand sacks of rice in a miragea thousand sacks of rice in a mirage

**

Everything outside my doorEverything outside my door

is my teacheris my teacher

Master horse dungMaster horse dung

Master cow dung Master cow dung

Master children’s frecklesMaster children’s freckles

**

That business tycoon’s tremendous mansion—That business tycoon’s tremendous mansion—

the despair of beggarsthe despair of beggars

the hope of thievesthe hope of thieves

**

Why?Why?

Why?!Why?!

Why!?Why!?

A bright dayA bright day

busy with questions from a five-year-oldbusy with questions from a five-year-old

Surely that child knowsSurely that child knows

that without those Why’sthat without those Why’s

everything would be nothingeverything would be nothing

Translated from the Korean by Brother Anthony of Translated from the Korean by Brother Anthony of Taize, Young-moo Kim and Gary GachTaize, Young-moo Kim and Gary Gach

Excerpts from Flowers of a Moment by Ko Un

Calendar in Verse Calendar in Verse by Tada Chimako by Tada Chimako

I who wait for myselfI who wait for myselfI who do not appearI who do not appearToday, I turn another page of the seaToday, I turn another page of the seaClose my mouth, and toss away a dead clamClose my mouth, and toss away a dead clam

A morning that does not breakA morning that does not break A white shoreA white shoreA womb that does not bearA womb that does not bear A broken oarA broken oar

I who wait for myselfI who wait for myselfI who do not appearI who do not appearToday, I turn another page of the horizonToday, I turn another page of the horizonAnd toss away a snake far too lightAnd toss away a snake far too light

A morning that does not breakA morning that does not break A useless umbrellaA useless umbrellaA suspicious chuckleA suspicious chuckle A cold piece of fried foodA cold piece of fried food

I who wait for myselfI who wait for myselfI who do not appearI who do not appearToday, I turn another page of skyToday, I turn another page of skyAnd toss away sooty stardust I have swept upAnd toss away sooty stardust I have swept up

A morning that does not breakA morning that does not break A patch of teary grassA patch of teary grassI turn themI turn them And turn themAnd turn themBut still I do not appearBut still I do not appearI who wait for myselfI who wait for myselfA world of imaginary numbersA world of imaginary numbers A love with no armsA love with no arms

Translated from the Japanese by Jeffrey AnglesTranslated from the Japanese by Jeffrey Angles