In a note to the translator, Professor Rahim Elham mentions that this poem was inspired after he saw the painting, which was then taken from the niche and delivered to Kabul Museum for preservation. Following the recent vandalism of Kabul Museum, it is not known whether this highly valuable piece had been stolen or broken by the Taleban militia. In his note, Professor Elham says he does not remember whether it was a painting on a tile or just a drawing on the wall.

He says the painting shows two beautiful women, each one showing a halo around her head. The two beautiful women were perhaps Buddhist minstrels or goddesses of music. The painting shows that the two women play on the same instrument simultaneously -- something quite unique in the Buddhist Kushan culture of the time in ancient Afghanistan. Fascinated by their appearances, Professor Elham says the two ladies wear delicate round earrings, thin necklaces around their necks, and bracelets on their wrists. They wear beautiful short-sleeve and open-collar blouses, with long pajamas.

Professor Elham says that he saw the painting about fifty years ago. He appeals to his teacher, Nabi Kohzad, a distinguished Afghan archeologist, to shed further light on this most valuable artifact, particularly on a possible date. During his trip to China, Professor Elham had seen a similar painting embroidered on a silk piece, a copy of which was given to him as a gift.

When he was a senior student of the Faculty Letters of Kabul University, Professor Elham escorted a UN team to Bamiyan, where he saw the small and large statues of Band-e Amir and the ruins of Gholghola City, which left a lasting impression in his life. This piece was inspired by the painting and the trip to Bamiyan.

I

Oh goddesses of joy
Stars of our desired sky

Lasting relics of Aryans
Ancient darlings of Bamiyan

Lovely bards of music and ecstasy
Disclosing the seclusion of mystery

Wonder of sound in your throats
Magic of music in those notes

Elegance in your watchful eyes
Your fingers linger on the harp

Once more, release your pain.
With the strokes on the strings

II

Her instrument Venus never set aside
Why should you hesitate to improvise?

The Kushan halo still aglow
On the Afghan nation's brow

Your tune our ears desire
Our hearts pulsate and aspire

If the hand of time has broken your harp
Let me fix it with the strings of my heart

If it is soiled and not working
The Reed flutes* still blowing

The "rent hearts" may clean,
Polish it, and mend it to gleam

Play again the music of life
With a fiery, uplifting voice

III

Let the striking fingers play again!
Let the quivering strings ring again!

As long as music nurtures life
Life with silence has no charm

Oh, celebrate until the music rings
Rejoice until the magic remains

Move until the cloud has a drop
Run until tomorrow is on the wing

Oh, strike the melodious strings
Until the leaf quivers from the wind

From excessive waiting glazes
The old halo from the mountain face

The ancient modulations of tune
Lie hidden under the dusted twine

IV

Oh fingers tips, strike the strings
Until the rust of silence fades away

Inscribed are on the Buddha niche
Talent mixed with music and taste