Only The One: “Matro Akjon”

Ahmed Sofa (30 June 1943 – 28 July 2001) Translated by Munize Manzur

I search for only the one
Who will look at me with love,
While the dulcet tone of my heart
Beats out word upon word;
While a river so red ripples
To the rhythm of my youthful song;
Until my heart-wrenching pain
Like a tender child, in her takes form.
All my threads of thought, half-expressed,
In her, will reveal a feeling peaceful;
Like a glowing stroke of gold upon a dark stone.