This poetry book can be enjoyed by any category of readers. The majority of the poems, however, describe the emotions of a female speaker. The speaker is a heroin, a lover, a mother or a political observer; but never a victim. She is ready to leave if wronged by anyone under any circumstances. The speaker cannot ignore poverty, famine, wars and the injustices in the world even when she is talking about her love. Every poem has a tendency to tell a story, relate an experience, or describe an event.
A Piece of Heaven
By Farin Mirvahabi PowellAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Farin Mirvahabi Powell
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-1909-9Contents
"The Most Unknown Grain"..................................1"Our Wedding".............................................3"The Seed Dies"...........................................4"A Piece Of Heaven".......................................5"Let Me Envy the Old Moon"................................6"The little Girl".........................................7"My Valentine"............................................8"Fake Love Sold In Vending Machines"......................9"For one Last Night"......................................10"Tunnel of Lights"........................................11"Let Us Love Again".......................................13"A Pile of Dirt"..........................................14"After Those Moments of Destruction"......................16"High Roof of Anger"......................................17"How Long"................................................18"Fresh Ideas".............................................19"Like A Sea Of Diamonds"..................................20"Searching For A Few Worms"...............................21"Those Glorious Days".....................................23"Someone Will Rise".......................................24"A Big Red Kite"..........................................26"A Broken Crystal"........................................27"I Want To Scream"........................................28"I Reached The Stars".....................................30"For Seven-Year Olds".....................................31"The Pain Doesn't Die"....................................32"Train Station"...........................................33"When He Is Gazing Into My Eyes"..........................34"With A Colorless Indifference"...........................35"Yesterday"...............................................36"All The Lonely Nights"...................................37"Childhood Dreams"........................................38"Distant Refuge"..........................................39"Creek of No Hope"........................................40"Every Smile Tells You A Lie".............................41"God Must Love Me"........................................43"Like a Wild Flower"......................................44"His Journey Is Almost Over"..............................45"No More Despair".........................................46"The Tale of Two Towns"...................................47"When She Is Gone"........................................48"A Lost Soul".............................................49"That House"..............................................50"The Alley"...............................................51"That Immense Colorless Despair"..........................52"The Beauty of A Poem"....................................53"The Bird Doesn't Know About The War".....................54"The Ghost Of An Old Love"................................55"And Then the Separation".................................56"The Same Walk"...........................................57"The City Hears Sounds"...................................58"For Dying"...............................................59"Every Night".............................................60"The House Of Dreams".....................................61"The Last Blank Page of Her Book".........................62"Another Day Passed By"...................................63"Your Scheherezad"........................................64"How Can I Forget"........................................65"In A Silvery Dawn".......................................66"No One Hears Me".........................................67"Life Is Not A Memory"....................................68"Merci Adamo".............................................69"Like A Mirage"...........................................71"Remember Me".............................................72"The Bridge Over The Pond"................................73"Waiting For God To Call".................................74"Memories Should Have A Life".............................76"Only The Hands"..........................................77"Without You".............................................78"Bitter Separation".......................................79"Moments".................................................80"Ready To Say Goodbye"....................................81"The Shadow On the Wall"..................................82"The Corridor of Time"....................................84"The Sun Called Me".......................................85"Thirty-Two Balloons".....................................86"Riding the Carousel of Euphoria".........................87"Some Day I Will Cry".....................................89"A Woman With A Suitcase".................................90
Chapter One
"The Most Unknown Grain"
There will come a day when the old ivy in the garden will stop making love to the stars. There will come a day when the clouds will end up covering the truth, and the sun's reality will spread everywhere. There will come a day when the lava of the mountain's anger will burn all green hills. There will come a day when my words, like a thousand diamonds, will crown pages of a book. There will come a day when the silk of my passion will open hearts and minds. One day, the rain will impregnate all barren seeds, and the meadow will be mother to all newborn grains. One day, the most unknown grain, flying on the wings of the wind, will reach the highest summit. One day, all toppled-bravo saying politicians, along with their replacements, in front of empty chairs, will cut ribbons at the openings of all ruined homes. One day, the chains will be broken, and the free hands extended towards the sky, will demand termination of all "ism." One day, angry fish will walk out of the water, and volunteer to go to war, and my niece's tearful doll will cry for justice. Finally, one day, bullets will turn into paper toys, clowns will wear soldiers' uniforms, and the war, like a carnival, will entertain every town in the world.
"Our Wedding"
Ask the sun to come to our wedding let it bring all its chandeliers. Ask the rain to travel to another town, we have no room for umbrellas. Let the wind gossip about this wedding and take the news to town. Tell the birds to keep quiet at dawn we need to sleep late. Bring my sister to help me, my gown is heavy and long. Pick up some orchids from the garden and offer them to the female guests. Invite the stars to our wedding, let their diamonds sparkle in the night. Wait for me outside the church, wearing your kindest smile, because my knees will be shaking while walking down the aisle for a second time. Let us deceive God's jealous angels, by turning towards the sky and saying: "Bad rice, Bad rice." Let us kidnap happiness, and take it to our honeymoon and trick it to stay with us forever.
"The Seed Dies"
Why shouldn't I talk about the earth, for I am an earthling, and the plant of my body loves the earth. Why shouldn't I talk about the sun, for the sun glorifies the world. Why shouldn't I talk about the seed, for the seed is the fabric of every being. The seed gets pregnant, the seed is born, the seed survives like an old dusty folder, the seed withers, and the seed dies. Why shouldn't I talk about the seed, for the seed rises, even an atom is a seed, the world can perish from a single seed. With its soft little fingers, the seed of love in me hangs on to the walls of my heart, it sleeps with every fake lullaby, and grows with every kind word. The seed of love in me is hopeful that the world will change. Why shouldn't I talk about the seed, when even an atom is a seed, when the world can perish from a single seed.
"A Piece Of Heaven"
She was happy with her "no life" existence, in a basement full of books, papers and boxes. She climbed mountains to finish a normal day, running in all directions, raising kids. On a stormy day in her life, while holding on to a branch, struggling to survive, a firm hand pulled her away from the cliff; she was saved. "Can you use some help?" the kind voice asked. "No", she gave him a cold look. The stranger ignored the response, and took her for a walk. They walked, talked, shared life stories, they laughed, they cried, and they paused. Before they knew it, they were sailing through the velvety garden of love; they were in heaven. They danced to their favorite songs, in God's backyard, they reached euphoria without breaking any man-made laws. What a journey, what a year, what a life. ......
On another stormy day in her life, the clouds caved in and dropped her back to the earth, washing her away like a little pebble. She is back in her basement existence again, buried in books, papers and boxes. Running in all directions, she is learning to survive the next storm; but this time, she owns a piece of heaven.
"Let Me Envy the Old Moon"
Let me envy the ivy leaves that lean on your window, the sky that covers your alley. Let me envy the silent painting on your wall, and the blanket that wraps you around. Let me envy the jasmine you smell in your garden, and those you say "Hello" to every day. Let me envy the air you breathe, and the sun that follows you around. Let me envy the cool breeze that touches you with a furtive kiss, and the old moon that peeks through your window. Let me envy your friends and neighbors, and the hands you are holding.
"The little Girl"
The little girl in me loves to paint smiley faces on the walls. The little girl in me is always ready to wipe off all the tears on sad faces. The little girl in me silently screams about poverty and hunger in the world. The little girl in me is waiting desperately to see the end of all wars. The little girl in me dreams of giving a red rose to every soldier, and saying: "the war is over." The little girl in me searches for a sunny sky to fly her kite, even on a rainy day. The little girl in me likes the woman she sees in the mirror, despite her few grayish hairs. The little girl in me loves to gaze into your eyes and hold your hands forever. The little girl in me dreams about riding a train with you to an unknown destination. The little girl in me Has no desire to wake up and end her dream.
"My Valentine"
He yanks out the weeds in the garden wipes the sweat off his forehead, looks at the sun to check the heat, and keeps watering his favorite plants. Every Sunday, sipping on his coffee, he listens to his favorite music, and reads his newspaper. The war stories make him sad, but the comics make him laugh. He is a kind man who is happy with simple things; like a glass of wine, a good movie, or a smile. He has gone through a long painful journey to find love, to find peace. He thinks I am a fairy princess from the sea whom he discovered one day, sitting on a bench in his garden waiting for him. He brings me flowers, when there is no special occasion. He treats me like a fairy princess, and wants to hold my hands forever; he is my valentine.
"Fake Love Sold In Vending Machines"
Lately, empty handed and distraught, the web of my thoughts all torn, my only possession is an empty house. Like difficult words, I am becoming absurd, analyzing all individuals. I see some searching for seeds, like dumb squirrels. I see them chewing every seed, even the decayed or empty ones. I see the other individuals in a swamp, their heads out, panic in their eyes, waiting for a hand to be rescued. Alas, the hands are all locked up, and faces, all absorbed in disturbed thoughts. I see some drowning, while others remain indifferent, I know that one day, they will all drown. I see the threads of compassion all smoked up, and fake love sold in vending machines. I say to myself: "The rise, the fall and the pain of the mortals, should not bother me." I should plug my ears, look at the weed of absurdity, that wraps around me. I should go on a trip, at dawn, like the most colorless ray of light. I should leave the mortals, and those who laugh at them, in their swamp.
"For one Last Night"
I am leaving town, but my heart longs for you. Like a stubborn little girl, demanding chocolate, like a sky bursting into tears, like a prisoner before her execution, I have one last wish, I want to see you, for one last time. I will wear the red gown of my delusion, I will smell all flowers in the garden, to smell like your favorite scent. I will read all my poems, to remember who is coming. When you come, close all the doors behind, let me imprison happiness in my room, for one last night.
"Tunnel of Lights"
On a beautiful sunny day, little white clouds kept running like playful kids. The clouds formed a tunnel, I was pulled into the tunnel of lights, flying over mountains and oceans. A force dropped me on a land, I saw a garden full of roses stretched to eternity. An intoxicating scent made me feel dizzy. A hand pushed me to a gate and whispered: "This is the first heaven." I saw beautiful torches of fire, and the prophet Zoroaster lecturing students, I bowed and said a prayer. The wind took me to the second heaven, I saw the prophet Muhammad giving some booklets to a group of feminists, I bowed and said a prayer. The clouds formed another tunnel and the wind took me to the third heaven. I saw Jesus talking to a group of demonstrators carrying signs which read: "Gay rights," I bowed and said a prayer. The wind took me to the fourth heaven, I saw Moses mediating two groups of angry people, I bowed and said a prayer. The clouds formed another tunnel of lights, and the wind pushed me through and put me behind the gate of the seventh heaven. I saw Abraham with three books on his lap, I got closer to ask him a question. He pointed to a garden behind him and said: "Only the creator can answer that question." I bowed and said a prayer. The dream is over, I am awake now believing He will tell the world one day, why we needed different religions.
"Let Us Love Again"
I am drawing your face, on the soft sand, and the cruel wave is washing it away hurriedly. I am staring at the sea, trying to forget the tough winding roads, we have traveled, and the obstacles, we have faced. No hand was extended, no one cared, but you and I struggling with distances, had a journey to take. Despite life's cruelty, your fatigue, and the stormy days ahead, I am waiting for you to come. Let us build a bridge over the past. Let us wash away the pain, let us fly with the wind, let us say "Hello" to the stars, and, let us love again.
For My Mother
"A Pile of Dirt"
She never made the cover of any magazine, she never wrote a book, her story was never told, but, she was an unsung hero, she was my mother. On a big screen, I watch a film, people dressed in black. Sitting far away, I am gazing at a big hole, I see two men digging, a coffin, and a pile of dirt. On the screen, a giant keeps stepping on a fearful ant. I see a hand offering me a tissue, I have no tears, but I feel an inferno inside. My sister, in anger, is plucking, every petal of her last rose, the other sister is searching for a home, in an empty grave. I watch one brother's silent tears, and hear the moaning of the absent one. The crowd is now long gone. All day yesterday, the sky cried for my mother; Today, the tearless sky covers her grave with a blue blanket. Like a tree shaking in the wind, my body sways. The candle on the big screen is dying out; farewell to a pile of dirt, plucked rose-petals, and a lonely grave.
"After Those Moments of Destruction"
Who made all those promises on a summery night, at the beach, and broke them one by one? Who offered you her hands and brought you a fresh love, filling your heart with passion again? Who danced with you every night, at the stars' parties, and gave you cheerful mornings the next day? Who threw out a dreamy life, with all good memories, and dumped the future into a dumpster? Now, after those moments of destruction, who will put a smile on your face again? Who will tell your story? Who will erase my memory, from your mind, and who will write your poem? Now, after those moments of destruction, who will walk away? Who will remain? Who will hear the last silent words?
"High Roof of Anger"
Like a vein in a tree, she tries to nurture the bud of her love, but the bud is pregnant with fears. Under a coppery sunset and over the high roof of anger the black crows mourn her outcry. She tries to water a sick tree with her tears, but the leaves fall rapidly like her dying love.
"How Long"
How long can you sit and watch the sweat of the rain on the pane of a window? How long can you lay in your bed and smoke your life away in dancing circles? How long can you be kind to others, and endure their cruelty with patience? How long can you start life with zero and end up with zero? How long can you wait for a call, or a letter and remain calm? How long can you sit at your desk and plan overtime work, vacations or holiday bonuses? How long can you stand on your feet and praise the work of the contemporary painters? How long can you sip on bitter coffee listening to critics of modern art? How long can you see couples hand in hand and ignore the big void in your heart? How long can you hug others' children with a burning desire to have a child? How long can you walk the path of life with a hard rock heart and pretend you are alive? How long can you count every moment of your life and wish for happy news, or any news? And how long can you sit behind closed doors and beg: "Oh God I need a miracle?"
"Fresh Ideas"
She doesn't demand much out of her secluded life. She gets excited watching the birds pecking on the grass, or colorful butterflies sipping on their favorite buds. She loves Jazz, symphony, her newspaper and her books. When she stands on the steps of Persepolis, she pretends she hears the voice of Darius the Great. Lately, she feels that someone has lifted a heavy burden off her shoulder, so, she is free to leave. She feels as if she is dying every night, but she gets revived with love every morning. Every time she thinks that she doesn't have much to say, new fresh ideas bombard her brain. She has a long list of events to attend, she has a world full of friends, but, she is lonely, lonelier than the silent painting on the wall.
"Like A Sea Of Diamonds"
I know a faraway land inhabited by kind and generous people. I remember the sunburned faces of its hard working farmers. I remember people helping one another during crises, sharing every thing they had even when there was nothing to share. Within that land, I know a city surrounded by majestic mountains, full of beautiful houses, and perfumed gardens. The city stands like a bride, and with her glittery lights, she shines like a sea of diamonds. The city is blind and doesn't see any one's skin color, The city is kind and enjoys hearing different languages. A passionate gracious hostess, the city welcomes anyone, even her enemies. That city full of beautiful kind people, mountains and oceans away exists like an unreachable heaven. I long for that city, my hometown.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from A Piece of Heavenby Farin Mirvahabi Powell Copyright © 2009 by Farin Mirvahabi Powell. Excerpted by permission.
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