Reed flute-player
What is the way to the bazaar?
I so want to buy kindness from (someone's) eyes.
I so want my soul
To have a dress of words of joy.
There is a merchant who from the city of desires
Brings me ebullient colours of joy/happiness
Yet, alas, in this bazaar, bazaar of Khojand
Faces are dour (lit. sour) and words harsh (lit. hot)
I long for the sugar-cubes (candy) of Tabriz.
What is the way to the bazaar.
There is a reed-player there who tells me:
Bring forth ears unaccustomed to words other than insults
Listen the light is reciting ya-sin to the dark
Open eyes (that has )not seen other than colour of indignity
see the beauty of Truth.
What is the way to the bazaar.
There is a reed-player there who calls my heart by voice
To his hat that is full of one-dirhams
I am the jewel of tear, I must go.
The literal translation of this poem was made by Narguess Farzad and Jo Shapcott
The final translated version of the poem is by Jo Shapcott
© Poetry Translation Centre 2004-2012
dariush nazari says:
I read the poem,very kind and soulfull,,,with a big motivation in writting,,,,
Ma Sheng says:
Beautiful poem. Light's reading 'Ya-Sin' to Darkness in the literal translation creates a majestic image in the mind's eye, the title 'Reed-Flute Player' can also be translated as 'the Nay/Ney Player', which easily brings to mind the Mevlevis and Mevlana Rumi, may God bless his soul, one of Khojandi's main inspirations.
Beau McGlasson says:
Amazing! I can't help but love this poem! Haha!