Khashayar Mohammadi, trans. of Death Toll by Nimā Yushij
Death Toll is the translation of Nima Yushij's titular long poem along with a short selection of his most unapologetically socialist poetry, all of which spotlights rebellion against authoritarianism and tyranny, especially through a rural Iranian lens. Although Nima Yushij is the father of Persian free verse, he has remained relatively untranslated due to the complex nature of his poetry. This chapbook aims to highlight a few of his most politically urgent poems that ring truer than ever more than half a century later. Mohammadi’s translation will blow you away — promise! It’s gorgeous, moving, and prescient in all our favourite ways.
Printed in a limited run of fifty copies at Product Photo in Toronto, this chapbook has a cover designed by Alysha Dawn, featuring an original painting by Mehraz Karami. Typeset by Dani Spinosa.
Sample Poem:
I am Here
the walls of these ruins erect
passersby shall breathe beneath its cold shadow
hand in hand then through the desert
approaching me joyfully
when time comes
whose hands then shall hold
the marble gravestone?
branches, foliate by which flowers
falling upon the ground?
and that day from laughter
incontestable bliss
the nest has been destroyed
laughter intoxicated
with mid-day breath
and that day you too shall arrive
and within this sea, not visible
he-who-promised within the night-ruins...
in the warm embrace of spring:
the flower that blossomed to a smile
from sorrow
you shall arrive
and with my eyes I observe now
that it is he!
you shall come
arrive
seek me
when time comes
you shall not find me here