Songs of Nadia Anjuman - No. 5, Useless

No desire to speak again; whom to ask, what to say?

I am accursed by time whether I sing or not.

Why should I talk of honey since it is poison for me?

I cry out! My dark oppressors close my mouth.

I have no confidante, no one to trust,

Why do I cry and laugh and still remain?

This grief, this failure and regret,

I can do nothing, my mouth sealed shut.

I know it is spring, the season of delight,

But what‘s the use of tethered wings? I cannot fly.

Even though I’ve long been silent,

I recall the songs my heart and soul speak every moment

Happy the day when I will break the cage,

Abandon solitude and sing with joy.

I am no weak tree that sways with every breeze,

An Afghan daughter, it’s right that my voice cries out.