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Poetry

The Translation of War

Two Poems by Baktash Abtin

By Baktash Abtin
Translated from Persian by Nasim Basiri
Two poems from Baktash Abtin, for whom poetry and revolutionary life are inseparable.
September-2024-The-Translation-of-War-Abtin-Basiri-Hero
Photo by Visax on Unsplash

Bullet Interpreter

what is language? and what is the translation of war?
what is pain? and what is the translation of tears?
take your index finger off the trigger
soldier! the bullet interpreter!
I’m talking about you, o war, o war, o war!
you cease all languages
and bombs
explode humans’ odiousness
in any language

 

Dark, in a Narrow Pit

I’m a clear question
in a dark world
are you happier than me?
are you more beautiful than me?
are you lonelier than me?
what difference does it make?
a skull in Kabul
or in Washington!?

First published in Khate Solh September 2018. Translations © 2024 by Nasim Basiri. All rights reserved.

English

Bullet Interpreter

what is language? and what is the translation of war?
what is pain? and what is the translation of tears?
take your index finger off the trigger
soldier! the bullet interpreter!
I’m talking about you, o war, o war, o war!
you cease all languages
and bombs
explode humans’ odiousness
in any language

 

Dark, in a Narrow Pit

I’m a clear question
in a dark world
are you happier than me?
are you more beautiful than me?
are you lonelier than me?
what difference does it make?
a skull in Kabul
or in Washington!?

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