Sin

Sin
by Forugh Farrokhzad
09-Apr-2008
 

From Sin: Selected Poems of Forugh Farrokhzad (University of Arkansas Press, 2007), translated by Sholeh Wolpe, who's currently on a book tour [see schedule].

 

I have sinned a rapturous sin

in a warm enflamed embrace,

sinned in a pair of vindictive arms,

arms violent and ablaze.

In that quiet vacant dark

I looked into his mystic eyes,

found such longing that my heart

fluttered impatient in my breast.

In that quiet vacant dark

I sat beside him punch-drunk,

his lips released desire on mine,

grief unclenched my crazy heart.

I poured in his ears lyrics of love:

O my life, my lover It’s you I want.

Life-giving arms, it’s you I crave.

Crazed lover, for you I thirst.

Lust enflamed his eyes,

red wine trembled in the cup,

my body, naked and drunk,

quivered softly on his breast.

I have sinned a rapturous sin

beside a body quivering and spent.

I do not know what I did O God,

in that quiet vacant dark.


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Ari Siletz

Beautiful work!

by Ari Siletz on Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:14 AM PDT

I have sinned a rapturous sin just reading this poem!


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IRANdokht

very nice indeed

by IRANdokht on Wed Apr 09, 2008 04:27 PM PDT

This is a great poem and a nice translation to English too.

I don't think Forough is that graphic (at least in this one), she's just not as reserved as the traditional female poets we had. I always wondered what would Etessami write about a female's desires if she was not so restricted back in her time...

 

These great ladies like Forough took a lot of heat for telling the world that women have feelings and desires too

IRANdokht


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Ali P.

Great job...

by Ali P. on Wed Apr 09, 2008 02:23 PM PDT

Translating !

 For centuries, our male poets described their love for their- we presume!- female lovers, often in graphics. Our female poets( or the ones who got published) never got graphic about their desires toward males.

 Forough Farrokhzad broke that taboo, and it is a delight to see her work being translated with such grace.

 

Ali P.

P.S. It is also good to know, finally,  that women are attracted to us, men- or even more, as some may argue- as much as we are to them!

Not that there is anything wrong with that... :-)


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