منتخب شاعری

Authorization

(Translation by Muhammad Salim-ur-Rahman)


The points is not

whether your hair is wet or dry,

whether it is still long or has been cropped,

whether your cheeks are glowing or not;

the points is

whether the writing can be seen or not.


Remove the piece of paper tied to its leg

before you allow the homing pigeon to fly away.

The winter is over

and the supply of dried meat has been laid in.

Before you hole up in the cellar

look out for me a last time;

and if my horse returns without me

take off from in the saddle and the saddle-bag.

And should a traveller, covered with snow,

call for help in the deserted settlement

give him shelter in the cellar.

After all, you are not an angel.

woman.