Majid Naficy: Measuring Tree
Every morning they walk By the measuring tree On their way to school. Today the girl says: Daddy! Watch!” She stands on tiptoes And lifts her right arm To touch … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Calabrian Fig
Every morning when I go stair climbing I see her with a rake in hand Standing by a fig tree In front of her Roman house With arches and domes. … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Nightmare at Dawn
I just let go of a nightmare And jumped out of my coffin. The moon peeks out from behind my neighbor’s rooftop. At this moment one should pick a pen. … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Azad in Dubai
My son Azad has gone to Dubai With Zhu, one of his artists. I tell him: “Go to Khalifa Tower And see if from its roof You can spot the … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Bay to Breakers
Here is my hajj Here is my hajj From Bay to Breakers. Every year here I have a rendezvous with God, A God who talks In a hundred tongues, Runs, … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: The Signs of My Mother
Oh high moon! What are you waiting for? Follow your path quickly And carry my message to Isfahan From the window of my bedroom. My mother is still awake And … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: One night I will return to my birthplace
One night I will return to my birthplace to stand on my rooftop and pick stars. Father will say, ‘Look, There! Don’t you see the Seven Brothers?’ I will stretch … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: The Last Story of Borhan
Borhan Hoseini passed, too. His heart stopped beating Behind the red light. He was in a death car With his last story Carried in a Samsonite brief case. Of our … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Languages of My Father
My father knew other languages Besides Persian. When dementia came upon him He wanted to test his memory So he puckered his lips And sang in German time after time: … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Helen
Sometimes I see Helen Passing by Wearing a long skirt. She pushes a metal walker Scraping against the ground. She always asks: “Sir! What day is today? What day is … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Empty House
Every Wednesday since Mother’s death Four sisters get together In their empty childhood home To share memories And make a plan for the house: Should they sell to developers For … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: In the Spice Bazaar of Isfahan
Today I go to the spice-sellers’ lot with my mother So that once more I can look at specks of the sun Pouring down from a skylight into the dark … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: First Snow
Mother stands by the window And looks at the falling snow. It is the first snow fall On Father‘s grave. She has wrapped herself In a red blanket And leaned … Continue reading
Majid Naficy: Ezzat’s Last Will
The Will Room in Evin Prison Has two ways out. Alas! One cannot take both. Thus, she writes that life Is beautiful and desirable And puts down the date of … Continue reading
