Learn from this tree:
It offers its bountiful canopy of shade
Over your head

Rain or shine; Rain or shine
No matter whence

You come to it; And it never,
Not even out of innocent curiosity,
          Sizes you up:
Hey stranger! Where are you from?

–by Esma’il Kho’i
translated by Niloufar Talebi

From Belonging: New Poetry by Iranians Around the World, edited and translated by Niloufar Talebi © 2008. Poem copyright Esma’il Kho’i, English translation copyright Niloufar Talebi. Reprinted with permission of North Atlantic Books (northatlanticbooks.com). 

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