Two Neighbors
This morning when returning from stair-climbing
I saw her going for a walk.
She was brisk and swinging her arms:
“Mr. Clever is returning
Mrs. Lazy is just leaving.”
We both had fled our homeland
Lost our spouses
And live with our only sons.
Now, in her apartment downstairs
She is listening to orders of customers
On her answering machine.
The scent of chicken tahchin
Is wafting up to me
Through the window
And I know soon
She will knock at my door:
“Mr. Poet loves tahchin
Mrs. Chef brings it to him.”
Majid Naficy
April 8, 2019
دو همسایه
صبح که از پله‌نوردی برمی‌گشتم
او را دیدم که به راهنوردی می‌رفت
شتابان و دست‌تابان:
"آقا زرنگه داره برمیگرده
خانم تنبله تازه داره میره."
ما هر دو از وطن گریخته‌ایم
همسرانمان را از دست داده‌ایم
و با تنها پسرانمان همخانه‌ایم.
حالا او آن پائین در خانه‌اش
دارد به سفارشهای مشتریان
روی پیام‌گیر گوش می‌دهد.
بوی ته‌چین مرغ از پنجره
به سوی من بالا می‌آید
و من می‌دانم که او به زودی
در خانه‌ی مرا خواهد زد:
"آقا شاعره ته‌چین دوست داره
خانم سر‌آشپز براش میاره."
مجید نفیسی
هشتم آوریل دوهزار‌و‌نوزده
from Naomi Shihab Nye:
Beautiful! Everything you write is beautiful!!!!
from Mike simms the editor of Vox Populi:
Majid,
Lovely poem. A song for neighbors!
I’ve posted it to appear later.
Warmly,
M.
from Lillian Boraks Nemetz:
Dear Majid
I love the touch of humor in your poetry.
Thank you
Lillian
from Moin:
I wish I could have a neighbor like her.
Love you
from Sharyn:
Dear Majid,
I was delighted to receive your prompt response and the link to your blog and your poetry definitely makes me happy. I loved the humorous banter in your dialogue with your neighbor and wish I had someone to fix me tahchin. With the aid of your English translation, I was able to read most of the Farsi version despite forgetting some of the Persian alphabet and enjoyed the challenge. I will definitely direct my son and daughter to your blog as well.