One day Ali told his mom Forough Farrokhzad (One day Ali told his mom 1963) The Little Ali, The spoiled Ali, woke up suddenly– at exact midnight. He rubbed his eyes– with his little hands. He yawned twice– and then he sat. What had happened? What had he seen? **&** He had a dream, about a fish, A dancing, gilded fish, Soft, slick, sleek, Light, bright, slight. It felt like the sunshine- on a navy pane, in a golden dye, throwing rays of light- to our Ali’s eye. The shiny fish, a while afterwards, laid on the surface– with its tiny wings, patting water’s face. It smelt so good, Like washed, clean sheets, Like new notebooks, Like present-wraps. It felt like cool nights– on the top of the roof. It felt like stars, like rain, a full moon. It smelt like candy, like chocolate, jelly. It looked like a goddess, bathing in heavenly lakes. It looked like a queen with a golden crown. It looked like a saint with her ring of light, dancing in the clouds. Whatever it was, Whoever she was, Bewitched our Ali… Yes, Little Ali- fell madly in love– with that shiny fish. As soon as Ali, pulled his small hands– to catch that work of art, that rare beauty, Sky got mad, ranting and raving! Storm started, roaring and raging! Rain poured down like hell. Then the soil tore off, and took up the fish. Little Ali was left alone, in his tiny bed and no dream, with no sign of the fish, in a daze, I deem! **&** The wind was blowing, wild in the yard. It was dragging tresses of the trees. It was flowing, under covers and sheets. The wind was blowing and on the rope, wet wears and clothes were chanting, dancing- with the songs of the breeze. Cheerful crickets- were nicely harping. If the wind was mild, frogs were chiming. Brief, that night was just the same, as all nights before. Only Ali was different. Little Ali was bewildered, cast under the spell- of the dreamy fish. He wanted the fish of his dream. He couldn’t stop- thinking about it. The shiny little Fish, from then on, possessed Ali’s mind. -.-.-.-.-.-.- (Alis Mom saying:) “Hey Lil Ali, Hey Little Ali! Don’t fidget so much! Stay straight or you’re gonna fall! If in your dream, it was a fish- in a blue lake, It was not real. Don’t get confused: It was a vision! Don’t spoil your day!” “What is wrong with you? What is your problem? You are so healthy, you are so lucky, Forget about that fish!” **&** “Listen to me! Dreamy roads are not like reals– with sidewalks and signs, with light and asphalt. In the dreams, you may get lost. In the dreams, You may get hurt! In the dreams, in dreamy roads– there is no way back!” **&** “Look Lilttle Ali! You will grow up, You will buy a car, You will buy a house, You may be a boss, You may be famous, You will be handsome, You will travel, All will be lofty.” **&** “Why don’t you play? Don’t you have friends? Don’t you like your toys? Why are you so sad?” “Hey Lil Ali! Are you crazy? Did you lose your mind? What the heck the fish?! I don’t understand…” ****&**** “Hey Little Ali, You are getting sick, I am getting mad! You are just spoiled. I will punish you: No ice cream, no bike, no birthday party!” “What the heck the fish? Why do you need fish? Fish is stinky, Fish is gonna die, It’s not worth a dime. Go back to your bed, and task to sleep! Now, leave me alone!” -.-.-.-.-.-.- The Waters were upset, They looked so tired, They were slowly– running off above– toward the clouds: “Hey Lil’ Ali, Hey Little Ali! Dont disappoint me! Not everyone- will ever dream– of this Golden Fish. People, they dream- of fries, chips and fish! They all dream- of youthful ladies, or handsome gentlemen! They dream about– dress and necklace, about dogs and cars.” “Whoever dreams- of this Golden Fish, must go and get it! Whoever dreams of this Golden Fish, his days are filled up by billion stars! He won’t see the sight! He won’t need the light! He won’t be able- to sleep the night! Hey Lil’ Ali, Hey Little Ali! Don’t let us down!” **&** A butterfly, was getting drowned, in the drained pool; while the Little Ali- was listening– to The Waters’ words. Then suddenly, It seemed that someone- was calling Ali. It seemed that a hand, a warm and soft hand tapped on Ali’s back: “Hey Lil’ Ali, Hey Little Ali! Do you hear me? One, two, then three! Jump in the water!” “Hey Little Ali, Don’t you want to come? I am The Shiny Fish. Believe me Lil Ali! I am right here, under the water” “Hey Lil’ Ali, Hey Little Ali! I waited for you, Now its a long time! I’ll take you to the sea, It is not that far, It is not so hard. I will take you there: To the Garden of pearls, To the House of Crystal, To the Mounts of light, We will play there!” “Believe me Lil’ Ali, If you don’t see this world, then what’s- your life for? If you don’t journey there,– Then what’s your time for?” **&** The sky got mad, The storm started. The Waters coiled upward. And then suddenly, They gulped down Ali! Silvery circles on The Waters’ face, they turned and they turned. Then blue bubbles, took their place. And at the end, On The Waters’ surface, it was nothing left, but calm and silence. **&** – Where is Lil’ Ali? – I, surely, don’t care! – What is he doing? – I, surely, don’t dare! But if you’d like to know– jump in the water!” Translation: Maryam Dilmaghani, June 2006, Montreal
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 11:43:35 +0000
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