Turquoise Tear

Turquoise Tear

My mother was a mother of the turquoise mine.

I went and found a stone;

I stitched it with my heart,

with the water of my eyes.

It became a gem,

a loyal companion.

I cannot hide it—

I don’t know where to place it:

on my eye?

my cheek?

my shoulder?

For this tear is no burden on any shoulder.

I think I should lay it upon my heart,

hold it in my palm,

and lift it up with love…

Ali Shariati‑Moghaddam (Sham’)