The Unsung Builders of Civilization
The true builders of civilization
Not kings,
not poets or men of letters,
not artists,
not orators,
not scholars,
and not the heroes of legend.
But rather—
the sunburnt face
that sows
without expecting anything in return;
the stooped figure
that reaps
without asking;
the calloused hand
that builds
without expecting gratitude;
the fading eye
that stitches
without asking anything in return,
the humble shopkeeper
who sells
without seeking praise.
They are the ones
whose names
are absent from history,
whose memory
fades unremembered.
No applause.
No praise.
No acclaim.
They are the ones
who carry no vanity within them,
and lay no burden
upon another’s shoulders.
سازندگان گمنام تمدن
سازندگان واقعی تمدن
نه شاهاناند
نه ادیبان
نه هنرمندان
نه سخنوران
نه عالمان
و نه اساطیر
بلکه
آن چهرۀ آفتابسوختهای که
بیتوقع میکارد
آن قامت خمیدهای که
بیتمنا میدِرود
آن دست زمختی که
بیمنت میسازد
آن چشم کمسویی که
بیچشمداشت میدوزد
آن خردهفروش که
بیادعا میفروشد
آنانی که
نه نامی
در تاریخ دارند
نه یادی
بیتحسین
بیتمجید
بیتعریف
همانها که
نه بادی در سر دارند
نه باری بر دوش دیگران
سهیل خداپرستی
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Author:
soheil khodaparasti (
Offline) - Published: August 10th, 2026 17:57
- Comment from author about the poem: This poem is a tribute to the anonymous human beings whose labor made great civilizations and their monuments possible—the countless unnamed people who built Persepolis, the Egyptian pyramids, the Great Wall of China, the Roman Colosseum, the ancient cities of the Maya, and countless other wonders, while kings and rulers received the glory. It honors those whose names were rarely recorded, whose hands shaped history, and whose immense contributions to civilization have largely been forgotten.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 11
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Kaz
Offline)
Comments1
Beautifully written this poem sends an even stronger message. History is written by winners and even within winning groups those with power write themselves into glory while those without power are forgotten. A lovely write and a fave
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I wanted to turn the gaze away from the names history preserves and toward the people whose work made those names possible. You are right that power often allows those in positions of power to shape the dominant narrative, write themselves into history, and overlook the people to whom they owe their names and reputation.
You are most welcome Soheil a wonderful write about the common man.
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