In praise of spring

Western writers generally link tulips to Turkey simply because the Dutch merchants first brought the tulip from Turkey some 408 years ago in 1594. But rarely do they tell you that it originally came to Turkey from Persia. Traditionally Iranians (Zarathushtis and non-Zarathushtis), when decorating the haft shin table at Navroz, would always have tulips along with hyacinths and daffodils. Here is my poetic effort for Navroz:

Ahura Mazda’s gift to mankind is here/For which we sing Him praise/And praise to thee, Oh Navroz/For the beauty of your days.

Oh praise to the coming of spring,/For there is beauty and music in your name./As the blustery cold and dull days wane,/”Rejoice, Navroz is here,” all Zara­thus­h­ti hearts proclaim.

Navroz wakes up a sleepy dew dropped world/As newborn buds and leaves peek through the icy earth/Sonbels (hyacinths), tulips, daffodils fill the air/With their fragrance so heavenly and rare/For all mankind to revel in the loveliness of colors they wear.

Navroz truly is a precious time/When greetings and prayers ascend from grateful hearts/To make these days the most blest.

RUSI SORABJI

Campbell, California, USA