Spring’s Air (A poetic recreation of "هواییِ بهار" in English)

It has been long

Upon these four walls,
the scent of spring
has not passed.
The tyranny of cold
has plundered the seasons,
and the dream of a budding sprout
has withered,
hidden deep within the branch.

No rain to wash
the dust of sorrow
from the heart of the earth,
no wistful hues of autumn
to battle the sorrow of winter
with a flicker of radiance,
nor a melody, soft and luring,
to carry the wounds of time
gently away from memory.

Upon the blood-stained lap of this earth,
where have you spread
your black tent, O gypsy?
No echoes of summer’s fervor,
no trace of winter’s white—
to hoist the heavy burden
of your tribe,
seeking the green breath
of migration’s end.

In the disarray of daylight’s frame,
still—

The longing of the moon
pulls a lonely star behind,
and the weary sun,
with all its burdens,
yawning,
slips into the fading line
of dusk.

It has been long, my love,
my heart is overcast.
It yearns for rain
to beat unbridled
against the mountain’s weary shoulder,
to rise in rebellion,
to wash away
the bitter words of longing
from the solemn face
of my poem.

Once more,
my heart is restless—
for the whispered secret of spring,
again and again,
whispered
into the ear of the hopeful gypsy girl.

Arsalan – Tehran
4th of Bahman, 1403

---

Notes on the English Recreation:

1. Faithful yet poetic adaptation:
   • The imagery and rhythm of the original Persian poem have been preserved while ensuring a fluid and evocative English reading.
2. Maintaining core metaphors:
   • “دامان خونینِ این زمین” → “the blood-stained lap of this earth” to maintain the power of the imagery.
   • “بیدادِ سرما” → “The tyranny of cold” to retain the dramatic tone.
3. Refined linguistic flow:
   • Instead of direct translation, the adaptation ensures a rhythmic and emotionally charged delivery.