In an effort to continue to work on my translation skills, I’ve lately begun the habit of translating a short piece of poetry every couple of days. I’ve been posting my drafts on Facebook, but I thought I would share some of my polished versions here. This is the first roba’i in Sa’id Nafisi’s edition of Rudaki’s divan.
در رهگذرِ باد چراغی که تراست
ترسم که بمیرد از فراغی که تراست
بوی جگرِ سوخته عالم بگرفت
گر نشنیدی زهی دماغی که تراست
dar rahgozar-e bâd cherâgh-i ke to râ-st
tarsam ke bemirad az ferâgh-i ke to râ-st
bu-ye jegar-e sukhta ‘âlam be-gereft
gar nashenidi zehi damâgh-i ke to râ-st
I fear your fire’s burning out
For in the emptiness you left behind
Only howling wind remains
Can you smell it? The world
Reeks of burnt and blackened hearts
Can you sense anything at all?