Temporal read a translation of Parveen Shakir’s poem on this blog and created another translation. In many ways, this is a more modern version, closer to the sensibility in the original poem. However, the irony in the last lines may not be that obvious..
Thank you Temporal. And now the translation…
The Faustus In Us
in (more than) a sense
we resemble Faustus
some sell their soul
for passion, circumstances
force others, some get away
pawning their eyes
to trade in visions
some offer their minds
as collateral
it’s amusing to see
the purchasing power of money
surveying life’s wall street, we find
self respect is the object d’art
most in demand today
