English subtitle

Public Love

Tear is a secret
smile is a secret
love is a secret

My tear, that night, was a smile of love

I am not a story you read aloud
not a song you sing
not a voice to hear
or a thing for you to see
for you to know

I am a common pain
you only scream me

*

A tree speaks to the forest
grass to the desert
star to the galaxy
and I speak to you
tell me your name
give me your hand
tell my your story
give me your heart
I have found your roots
With your lips, I have told the story of lips
and my hands recognize yours.

In a bright solitude, I have cried with you
for the living,
and in a dark graveyard, I have sung with you
the most beautiful ballads
because the dead, this year,
were the most loving among the living.

Give me your hands
your hands know mine
I speak to you, my late find
like a cloud to the storm
grass to the desert
rain to the ocean
bird to the spring
like a tree speaks to the forest

Because I
understand your roots
because my voice
knows your voice.

Ahmad Shamloo