From Death

Ahmad Shamloo

I have never feared death
Even though
Its hands were more fragile
Than banality.
I dread, however, to die
In a land where
The grave digger's wages
Exceed the price of human freedom.
Looking for,
Discovering,
Choosing freely,
And transforming one's essence
Into a fortress.
If the price of death is higher than all that,
I deny, in absolute terms,
To have ever feared death.





Last updated January 14, 2019