Ahmad Shamlou
Existence
If this is life–how low!
and I, how shamed, if I don't hang my lifetime's lamp
high on the dusty pine of this dead-end lane.
If this is life–how pure!
and I, how stained, if I don't plant my faith like a mountain,
eternal memorial, to grace this ephemeral earth.
Persian; trans. Zara Houshmand
Ahmad Shamlou, Persian, trans. Zara Houshmand, Words Without
Borders, July/August, 2003.