Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Ghazal
Wave within wave of sorrow stilled;
pain-stricked hearts becalmed.
As if spring’s hair spreads its perfume;
as if one receives a message from a beloved.
One whose desire seemed illusion,
stands face to face at the threshold.
My heart yearns for tomorrow.
I could trust my yesterdays.
Season’s turning - garden blooms, colours;
no reflection of my feelings, my heart.
A flower blooms, a wound bursts;
as spring clouds surge, tears rush.
Cups overflow with lovers’ blood;
hearts flaming, scars sizzling.
Celebration of pain gathers momentum;
night of desires glows again.
Martyrdom acquires a new tone,
at the call of death, to the gallows;
Some arrive with the noose round their necks;
some carrying the cross on their shoulders.
Faiz wonders, what makes friends
hopeful, eagerly await the news:
The censor has softened to drinkers;
the assassin is charmed by the love-sick.
Translated by Roohi Majid
Page(s) 82
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