Majid Naficy: Fatherly Advice
For Azad on his thirtieth
They say, live every day of your life
As if it’s your last.
This can be done only by a person
Who wants to end his life.
I say, live every moment of your life,
As if you are just born
Such as the day you removed
The training wheels from your bike.
Surprised by the hidden power in your legs
You pedaled away quickly
With fluttering bangs
And glittering eyes
And a panting father far behind.
Majid Naficy is the author of a number of books in Persian and in English, including Father & Son published by Red Hen.
Copyright 2020 Majid Naficy.
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Majid and Azad
I was thankful to read this uplifting poem right after I read the current news in Heather Cox Richardson’s daily email. That had thrown me into a memory of Octavia Butler’s dystopian novels, Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. This beautiful poem gives me hope and memories of a better time.
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Naomi Shihab Nye says: “I love this poem so much! Very very moving.”
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In the case of my son, it was I, the panting mother, running far behind.
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