QOM
from the Persian of Nader Naderpour 1929-2000
Several thousand women
several thousand men
shawly women
brown-robed men
and ancient storks
on a golden dome
a dreary park
with scattered trees
no sound of laughter
no voices raised
a pool half-full
of green water
some old crows perched
on a pile of stones
a mass of beggars
at every step
turbans white
faces black
from the Persian of Nader Naderpour 1929-2000
Several thousand women
several thousand men
shawly women
brown-robed men
and ancient storks
on a golden dome
a dreary park
with scattered trees
no sound of laughter
no voices raised
a pool half-full
of green water
some old crows perched
on a pile of stones
a mass of beggars
at every step
turbans white
faces black
Geoffrey Squires