Forough Farrokhzad (1934–67), is known in Iran as one of the most influential female poets of the twentieth century. Challenging the traditional limits of Iranian literature and social norms, her work is celebrated for its unique blend of social commentary and personal reflection. Farrokhzad’s contributions to the world of cinema, particularly the documentary The House Is Black, highlight her legacy as a pioneering voice for change in Iran.
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
The Wind Will Carry Us
The Kenyon Review · “The Wind Will Carry Us” by Nader Nazmi In my small night a pitythe wind is comingfor the leaves on trees.Terror of destruction nestsin my small […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
from From Nima On: A Selection of Contemporary Iranian Poetry
1. In my blank verse poems, I conceive of meter and rhyme differently. When I lengthen or shorten various lines, it’s not based on whim or fancy. Even in the […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Melancholia #6
Night, at a gallop of the dark horsea line of trees remains.In the four galaxies of the horseshoe,a line of trees was passing without a neigh.A severed vein opened its […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Melancholia #5
For in the heavens,the binding of my travel journal.I sowed with the sun,in the limbless alleys, in the doorways empty of women,I was scorched by the sun.It’s hard to picture […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Carnal
Appeaser of the body, restless ruler,the answer to all forms of anxiety!When the motion of an instinct gave birth to meand forces of the wind wrote my nameon the green […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
The Ring
In a sweet smile, the young girl said:“What is the mystery of this golden ring?The mystery of this ringthat so firmly grasps my finger.”The mystery of this ringin its radiant […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Friday
Noiseless Fridayforsaken FridayFriday, melancholic, like dusty alleysFriday, the frigid day of ailing, hollow thoughtsFriday, the cold day of ceaseless, brutal monotonyoh Friday, the day of vain hopeoh Friday, this disavowing […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Another Birth
The Kenyon Review · “Another Birth” by Forough Farrokhzad, translated and read by Samaneh Sadaghiani My whole existence is a verse of darknessthat by repeating you in itselftakes you to […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
O Jewel-Studded Land
The Kenyon Review · “O Jewel Studded Land” by Forough Farrokhzad, translated and read by Samaneh Sadaghiani I’ve wonI’ve been registeredAdorned myself with a name on an ID cardAnd my […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Wind-Up Doll
The Kenyon Review · “Wind-Up Doll” by Forough Farrokhzad, translated and read by Samaneh Sadaghiani Longer than this, oh yes,You can stay silent longer than this . . . . […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
On Leili’s Grave
The mystery is dispelled, at last the curtains rise.Alight on me at last, with your familiar eyes.What am I to escape? Why escape you like shadows?I am the bride of […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
The Bird Is Mortal
my heart is sorrow sickmy heart is sorrow sicki go to the porch and draw myfingers on night’s taut skinthe lights of relation are darkthe lights of relation are darkno […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
I Will Again Greet the Sun
to the sun i will again give greetingsto the brook that streamed within meto the clouds that were my long thoughtsto the aching growth of the garden’s white poplarsthat passed […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
Gift
i speak of the terminus of nighti of the terminus of darknessand from the terminus of night i speakif you come to my house o kind one bring me a […]
Forough Farrokhzad Folio
Summer 2025
The Wind Will Take Us
in my little night, alasthe wind has a tryst with the trees’ leavesin my little night, there is dread of ruinlistendo you hear the blow of darkness?i look as a […]