افسوس که نامه جوانی طی شد
و آن تازه بهار زندگانی دی شد
آن مرغ طرب که نام او بود شباب
افسوس ندانم که کی آمد کی شد
***
Alas, the letter of youth passed
And that fresh spring life became winter
That singing bird whose name was youth
Alas, I don't know when it came, when left
***
The Reunion
Mina looked at the mirror and sighed. She saw wrinkles, gray hair, and sagging skin. She felt old and tired. She wondered where the time had gone.
She remembered her high school days, when she was young and beautiful. When she had dreams and hopes. When she had friends and lovers. When she was happy and free.
She remembered the letter she had received a few days ago. It was an invitation to her high school reunion. She had not seen her classmates for 30 years. She wondered how they had changed. She wondered if they would recognize her. She wondered if she should go.
She decided to go. She wanted to relive her past. She wanted to see her old friends. She wanted to feel young again.
She put on her best dress and her favorite perfume. She took a taxi and headed to the hotel where the reunion was held. She felt nervous and excited.
She arrived at the hotel and entered the ballroom. She saw a crowd of people, talking and laughing. She saw familiar faces, but also unfamiliar ones. She saw signs of aging, but also signs of success. She saw happiness, but also sadness.
She looked for her old friends. She saw Ali, her first love. He was bald and fat. He was married and had three kids. He was a lawyer and had a lot of money. He smiled and waved at her. She smiled and walked towards him.
She saw Sara, her best friend. She was thin and pale. She was divorced and had no kids. She was a writer and had a lot of fame. She frowned and looked away from her. She frowned and walked past her.
She saw Reza, her rival. He was handsome and fit. He was single and had many girlfriends. He was a singer and had a lot of fans. He winked and flirted with her. She winked and flirted back.
She talked to them and others. She heard stories and jokes. She felt joy and sorrow. She felt nostalgia and regret.
She realized that she had no control over the past. She could not change it or relive it. She could only remember it and learn from it. She realized that she had to accept her present. She had to be grateful for what she had and what she was. She realized that she had to look forward to her future. She had to make the best of what she could and what she would.
She decided to leave. She had enough of the reunion. She had enough of the past. She wanted to live her life, no matter what.
She left the hotel and took a taxi. She looked at the mirror and smiled. She saw wisdom, grace, and beauty. She felt old and proud. She wondered what the time would bring.