This week's poem is by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi from Sudan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi himself. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is by Coral Bracho from Mexico.  The poem is read first in English translation by Katherine Pierpoint and then in Spanish by Coral herself. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Coral Bracho and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

Yalda, which means birth, is a Syriac word imported into the Persian language. It is also referred to as Shab-e Chelleh, a celebration of winter solstice on December 21--the last night of fall and the longest night of the year.

Shakila Azizzada was born in Kabul in Afghanistan in 1964. During her middle school and university years in Kabul, she started writing stories and poems, many of which were published in magazines. Her poems are unusual in their frankness and delicacy, particularly in the way she approaches intimacy and female desire, subjects which are rarely addressed by women poets writing in Dari.

The poem is read first in English translation by Mimi Khalvati and then in Dari by Shakila. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Shakila Azizzada and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org

This week’s poem is by Reza Mohammadi from Afghanistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Nick Laird and then in Dari by Reza. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Reza Mohammadi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is 'Stolen Apple' by Farzaneh Khojandi from Tajikistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Jo Shapcott and then in Tajik by Farzaneh Khojandi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Farzaneh Khojandi and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org. 

This week’s poem is by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi from Sudan. The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Saddiq. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.  

This week’s poem is 'Glaucoma' by Azita Ghahreman from Iran. The poem is read first in English translation by Maura Dooley and then in Farsi by Azita. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Azita Ghahreman and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org. 

This week’s poem is 'The Bridal Veil' by Shakila Azizzada from Afghanistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Mimi Khalvati and then in Dari by Shakila. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Shakila Azizzada and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' from Somalia. The poem is read first in English translation by W N Herbert and then in Somali by Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye'. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org. 

This week’s poem is by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi from Sudan. The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi.

The PTC and Bloodaxe Books are publishing Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi's first English collection entitled 'A Monkey At The Window' in November but you can get preview copies at Saddiq's Manchester Literature Festival reading on October 17th.

If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

We selected this week’s poem, 'Happy Valentine' by Azita Ghahreman from Iran to celebrate National Poetry Day. This year the theme is messages: 'say it with a poem'.

In this case we are suggesting using 'Happy Valentine' if you need to end a relationship. Azita's has penned the ultimate anti-love poem, and if your feelings have soured, her words can be deployed to leave your former lover in no doubt about the end of your relationship. Perfect if you want to leave a spike in their heart as you walk out the door.

The poem is read first in English translation by Maura Dooley and then in Farsi by Azita. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Azita Ghahreman and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is by Mohan Rana from India.  The poem is read first in English translation by Bernard O'Donoghue and then in Hindi by Mohan himself. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Mohan Rana and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is by Mohan Rana from India. The poem is read first in English translation by Bernard O'Donoghue and then in Hindi by Mohan himself. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Mohan and all the other Hindi poets we've translated, please visit http://www.poetrytranslation.org/poems/in/hindi

This week’s poem is by Abdellatif Laabi from Morocco.  The poem is read first in English translation by Andre Naffis-Sahely and then in French by Abdellatif. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Abdellatif Laabi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is 'Letter' by Azita Ghahreman from Iran. The poem is read first in English translation by Maura Dooley and then in Farsi by Azita herself. If you enjoyed this poem and would like to find out more about Azita and all the other poets we've translated, visit our website at www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by Partaw Naderi from Afghanistan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Dari by Partaw Naderi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Partaw Naderi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week's poem is by Kajal Ahmad from Kurdistan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Mimi Khalvati and then in Kurdish by the poet Choman Hardi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Kajal Ahmad and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week's poem is by Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame 'Hadraawi' from Somalia/Somaliland. The poem is read first in English translation by WN Herbert and then in Somali by Hadraawi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame 'Hadraawi' and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org. 

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This week’s poem is by Azita Ghahreman from Iran.  The poem is read first in English translation by Maura Dooley and then in Farsi by Azita. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Azita Ghahreman and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week’s poem is by Noshi Gillani from Pakistan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Lavinia Greenlaw and then in Urdu by novelist Kamila Shamsie. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Noshi Gillani and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by Roza Mohammadi from Afghanistan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Nick Laird and then in Dari by Reza. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Reza Mohammadi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org

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This week’s poem is 'From This Light' by Coral Bracho from Mexico.  The poem is read first in English translation by Katherine Pierpoint and then in Spanish by Coral. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Coral Bracho and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week's poem is by Farzaneh Khojandi from Tajikistan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Jo Shapcott and then in Tajik by Farzaneh herself. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Farzaneh Khojandi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by Corsino Fortes from Cape Verde. The poem is read first in English translation by Sean O'Brien and then in Portugese by Corsino Fortes. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Corsino Fortes and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by Reza Mohammadi from Afghanistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Nick Laird and then in Dari by Reza Mohammadi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Reza Mohammadi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by David Huerta from Spain. The poem is read first in English translation by Jamie McKendrick and then in Spanish by David. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about David Huerta and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week’s poem is by David Huerta from Spain. The poem is read first in English translation by Jamie McKendrick and then in Spanish by David. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about David Huerta and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi from Sudan. The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Saddiq. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week's poem is by Mohan Rana from India.  The poem is read first in English translation by Bernard O'Donoghue and then in Hindi by Mohan himself. 

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This week’s poem is by Kajal Ahmad from Kurdistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Mimi Khalvati and then in Kurdish by Kajal. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Kajal Ahmad on our website.

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This week’s poem is by Farzaneh Khojandi from Tajikistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Jo Shapcott and then in Tajik by Farzaneh.

If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Farzaneh Khojandi please visit our website:

http://www.poetrytranslation.org/poets/farzaneh-khojandi

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This week’s poem is by 'Gaarriye' from Somalia.  The poem is read first in English translation by Martin Orwin and then in Somali by 'Gaarriye'. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about 'Gaarriye' and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

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This week’s poem is by Corsino Fortes from Cape Verde. The poem is read first in English translation by Sean O'Brien and then in Portuguese by Corsino. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Corsino Fortes and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

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https://itunes.apple.com/sg/podcast/poem-podcast-from-poetry-translation/id392269965?mt=2

This week’s poem is from Afghanistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Dari by Partaw Naderi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Partaw Naderi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.  

This week’s poem is by Mohan Rana from India.  The poem is read first in English translation by Bernard O'Donoghue and then in Hindi by Mohan Rana.

If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Mohan Rana and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

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This week’s poem is by Reza Mohammadi from Afghanistan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Dari by Reza.

If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Reza Mohammadi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our websitewww.poetrytranslation.org.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

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https://itunes.apple.com/sg/podcast/poem-podcast-from-poetry-translation/id392269965?mt=2

This week’s poem is by Azita Ghahreman from Iran.  The poem is read first in English translation by Maura Dooley and then in Farsi by Azita.

If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Azita Ghahreman and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

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https://itunes.apple.com/sg/podcast/poem-podcast-from-poetry-translation/id392269965?mt=2

This week’s poem is by  from Tajikistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Jo Shapcott and then in Tajik by Farzaneh Khojandi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Farzaneh Khojandi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

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https://itunes.apple.com/sg/podcast/poem-podcast-from-poetry-translation/id392269965?mt=2    

This week's poem 'A Monkey Following a Monkey' is by Al Saddiq Al Raddi from Sudan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Saddiq himself.

This poem is from a book of poems by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi inspired by the Petrie Museum’s collection of material from Meroe in Sudan. The book 'He Tells Tales of Meroe' has been nominated for a Ted Hughes Award.

If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

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This week's poem 'They Think I Am a King: Yes, I Am the King' is by Al Saddiq Al Raddi from Sudan.  The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Saddiq himself.

This poem is from a new book of poems by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi inspired by the Petrie Museum’s collection of material from Meroe in Sudan. The book 'He Tells TAles of Meroe' has been nominated for a Ted HUghes Award.

If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website.

www.poetrytranslation.org

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

https://twitter.com/PoetryTranslate

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https://itunes.apple.com/sg/podcast/poem-podcast-from-poetry-translation/id392269965?mt=2

This week’s poem is by Shakila Azizzada from Afghanistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Mimi Khalvati and then in Dari by Shakila Azizzada. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Shakila Azizzada and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.    

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes

This week’s poem is by Corsino Fortes from Cape Verde. The poem is read first in English translation by Sean O'Brien and then in Portuguese by Corsino Fortes. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Corsino Fortes and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook or leave us a review on iTunes.

This week’s poem is by Azita Ghahreman from Iran.  The poem is read first in English translation by Maura Dooley and then in Farsi by Azita. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Azita Ghahreman and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is by Coral Bracho from Mexico.  The poem is read first in English translation by Katherine Pierpoint and then in Spanish by Coral herself. If you enjoy this recording and would like to find out more about Coral Bracho and all the other poets we’ve translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

This week's poem is by Kajal Ahmad from Kurdistan. The poem is read first in English translation by Mimi Khalvati and then in Kurdish by Kajal Ahmad. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Kajal Ahmad and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.

A chilly poem in harmony with the weather: ‘Snow’ by the wonderful Iranian poet, Azita Ghahreman, who now lives in exile in snowy Sweden.

‘Snow’ opens with the arresting lines:

            This sheet that stretches from here to the world's end  

            is covered by all that fallen snow.

            Why must we be lost too?

The seemingly endless snow is a metaphor for the hopelessness the poet feels – she and her lover are lost in its vastness. Only ‘a single stray earring’ can be seen – ‘not a tree, not a rabbit, not a star’.

In the next stanza, Azita describes ‘that long night’ of their relationship. In this very fine translation by Maura Dooley and Elhum Shakerifar, note the verbs that Maura has chosen to signal the violent feelings the relationship’s breakdown inspires, one in each line: ‘chucked out’, ‘shook out’ and ‘threw’. That image of throwing ‘the sheets into the laundry basket’ brings us back to the beginning of the poem: the ‘sheet… covered by all that final snow’ is now a literal as well as a metaphorical sheet. And note the force of that final, understated yet heartbreaking line: ‘I died a little’.

The final stanza of this perfectly poised poem stands back to consider the relationship itself, which once was ‘a fresh, wild garden’ that now is ‘covered / by sheets of falling snow’. The final line of the poem contains a small, sad pun: the snow is ‘shrouding everything still....’. This has the dual meaning of ‘shrouding everything [that is] still’ i.e. shrouding everything that cannot move and is silent; and ‘shrouding everything still’, i.e. continuing to shroud everything, perhaps for a very long time.

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Thanks to Kurdish poet and translator, Choman Hardi, we translated this wonderful poem by Dilawar Karadaghi over the course of three workshops at the beginning of 2005 when, appropriately enough, it was bitterly cold – though too cold for snow. And, as London faces its first ‘arctic blast’ of this remarkably mild winter, it seems fitting to choose ‘An Afternoon at Snowfall’ for our poem-podcast this week. The poem is read beautifully for us by two poets: in Kurdish by Mohammad Mustafa and in English by W N Herbert.

This is one of my favourite poems that we’ve translated in our workshops, I think because of the way in which Dilawar expresses something so essential about what it means to be exiled through the repeated evocation of everyday, almost banal, details.

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This week's poem is by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi from Sudan. The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Saddiq himself. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org

This week's poem is by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi from Sudan. The poem is read first in English translation by Sarah Maguire and then in Arabic by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org.