Translating Ghalib - A Tribute, An Effort

A Tribute
by Umair Raja


Wintery days, their nights so long
My soul yearns, for a lover’s song
Silent lakes, with frozen brows
Distant peaks, where moonlight glows

I think of all, the bards of yore
Their Celtic charms, and words galore
Yet none can sooth, my dismal soul
Shakespeare, Goethe, nor Rousseau

My heart wanders, to a different world
Of Eastern thoughts, and Persian pearls
A land, in which, the Indus roars
A land, in which, the Ganga flows

Marxist shouts, of, “We Shall See”
Will quench your thirsts, and shake your knees
With Faiz, I feel my destiny
Does not belong, to foreign shores

The Caravan, it calls to me
Each verse, drenched in energy
Iqbal, and his philosophies
Of soaring birds, and a withering rose

Those promises, of loyalty
You may, or, may not agree
Earthly love, Momin’s ghazal
The dying cries, of a deer’s woes

A conquered land, with mutinies
Sad words, a once Brave King
Zafar, reciting poetry
Quietly, in his gallows

The Fragrance, of Beena’s pen
Will it ever, write again?
Soliloquies, Refusals, Marigolds
The young death, of a blooming prose

The sun comes out, so strong, so bold
My soul has found, its lover’s door
But tell me what to do, Umair
My heart still aches, for something more

So when I need, that healing touch
Beyond the words, of Mir, and such
A tender thought, a poet’s lib
I turn to you, Mirza Ghalib


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An Effort
Translated from Urdu, a poem (ghazal) by Ghalib


‘Tis my heart, not brick, nor stone
Weeps like others; don’t you know?
It will cry, a thousand times
Why, do you, torture it so?

At temples, mosques, nor at his door
Not even, on, my beloved’s porch
I wait, along a distant road
Why do others, ask me to go?

His face, its beauty, lights my heart
Brighter than, the midday’s glow
His sight, it sears, with every gaze
Why is it, he veils it so?

Your tender glance, a fatal knife
Like haughty darts, from a deadly bow
Your image is, enough for me
My self, to you, I dare not show

Life, a prison; my anguish, its chain
Filled with sorrow; both, the same
Is my wish, for death, insane?
How else, do I, remove my pain?

Beauty does agree with you
Lust - ‘tis my carnal quest m
I must control, my inner thoughts
Why have you, put me, to this test?

There; a modest dignity
Here; a show of shy respect
Can we meet, along the way?
Will he call me, to his fest?

I know, he does not, fear God
Disloyal and faithless, he maybe
The loyal, the faithful, those two
They have never, interested me

Ghalib, the wretch; when he leaves
The world, without him, will not cease
So, when he dies, no need to mourn
So, when he dies, no need to grieve

Dil Hi To Hai Na Sang-o-Khist
Dard Se Bhar Na Aaaye Kyon?
Royenge Hum Hazaar Baar
Koyee Hamein Sataye Kyon?

Dair Nahin, Haram Nahin,
Dar Nahin, Aastan Nahin
Baithe Hain Reh-Guzar Pe Hum
Gair Hamein Uthaye Kyon?

Jab Voh Jamaal-e-Dilfaroze
Surte-Mehre Neem-Roze
Aap Hi Ho Nazaar-Soze
Parde Mein Munh Chuppaye Kyon?

Dashne-e-Gamaz Jaan-Sitan
Naavke-Naaz Bepanah
Tera Hi Akse-Rukh Sahi,
Saamne Teray Aaye Kyon?

Qaide-Hayat-O-Band-e-Gam,
Asl Mein Dono Aik Hain
Maut Say Pehlay Aadmi
Gum Say Nijaat Paye Kyon?

Husn Aur Us Pe Husn-e-Zun
Reh Gayee Bulhavas Ki Sharm
Apne Pe Eitmad Hai,
Gair Ko Aazmaye Kyon?

Van Voh Garure-Izz-o-Naaz
Yan Yeh Hijabe-Paase-Vazan
Rah Mein Hum Milain Kahan
Bazm Mein Voh Bulaye Kyon?

Han Voh Nahin Khuda Parasat
Jaao Voh Baiwafa Sahi
Jisko Ho Din-o-Dil Aziz
Uski Gali Mein Jaye Kyon?

Ghalib-e-Khasta Kay Bagair
Kaunsay Kaam Band Hain?
Roeeye Zar-Zar Kaya?
Keejiye Haye-Haye Kyon?