Mahvash Sabet is a Bahá’í prisoner of conscience currently serving an unjust 20 year sentence in Iran. Read more of her story here.
The Prayer of the Tree
That hapless tree that sat through all the winter months out there
naked in the snow and ice, it’s shivering branches bare,
broken, wind-torn, bleak and dreary,
bent by the changing seasons, weary,
has finally had an answer to its prayer.
See how the kind Creator full of loving care
has decked it in new garments, fresh and rare!
Have you seen how green it is at last, how finally dressed, how fair?
Can one not but be amazed that anyone, sick and unjustly imprisoned for their faith, could still find the tenderness and gentleness in their heart to write such a delicate and joyous poem? Shame to the Iranian authorities for such an injustice!
Please consider purchasing Mahvash Sabet’s poetry as an act of solidarity in the fight for human rights: in the US, from Amazon; in the UK, directly from the publisher.
john
This English edition of The Prayer of the Tree is ©2013 by Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, who adapted the original Persian text into English; all rights reserved.
the Book of Pain 
I have such a soft spot for trees and this is beautiful!
Denise,
Isn’t it just, though? Honestly, I have a difficult job choosing which poems of Mahvash to re-print, but this one was just so sweet and gentle, I couldn’t resist; even more so when you realize that the tree must be out beyond the prison window…
A very powerful piece of work.
It very much is. Thank you for dropping by the Book of Pain. I hope to see you again!
By the way, just got through reading your stunning work. Wow! A “Wish for the Stars” was very, very moving. Thank you.
I love your blog. It is creative as well as helpful for new bloggers. 🙂
And thanks so much for going through my poems! I am glad you liked it. ^_^
Very, very much so! And thank YOU for your lovely compliment.
No problem. ^_^