zindan ki ek sham
shaam ke pech-o-ḳham sitāroñ se
ziina ziina utar rahī hai raat
yuuñ sabā paas se guzartī hai
jaise kah dī kisī ne pyaar kī baat
sehn-e-zindāñ ke be-vatan ashjār
sar-nigūñ mahv haiñ banāne meñ
dāman-e-āsmāñ pe naqsh-o-nigār
shāna-e-bām par damaktā hai
mehrbāñ chāñdnī kā dast-e-jamīl
ḳhaak meñ ghul ga.ī hai āb-e-nujūm
nuur meñ ghul gayā hai arsh kā niil
sabz goshoñ meñ nīl-gūñ saa.e
lahlahāte haiñ jis tarah dil meñ
mauj-e-dard-e-firāq-e-yār aa.e
dil se paiham ḳhayāl kahtā hai
itnī shīrīñ hai zindagī is pal
zulm kā zahr gholne vaale
kāmrāñ ho sakeñge aaj na kal
jalva-gāh-e-visāl kī sham.eñ
vo bujhā bhī chuke agar to kyā
chāñd ko gul kareñ to ham jāneñ
A Prison Nightfall
The night descends
step by silent step
down the stairway of stars.
The breeze goes by me
like a kindly whispered phrase.
The homeless trees of the prison yard
Are absorbed making patterns
against the sky.
On the roof’s high crest
the loving hand of moonlight rest.
The starry river is drowned in dust
and the sky glows silver with moonlight.
In the dark foliage
shadows play with the wind
as a wave of painful loss
invades the heart.
Defiantly, a thought tells me
how sweet life is at this instant:
Those who brew the poison of cruelty
will not win, tomorrow or today.
They can put out the lamps
where lovers meet;
they cannot blind the moon!
sham ke pech-o-KHam sitaron se
zina zina utar rahi hai raat
yun saba pas se guzarti hai
jaise kah di kisi ne pyar ki baat
sehn-e-zindan ke be-watan ashjar
sar-nigun mahw hain banane mein
daman-e-asman pe naqsh-o-nigar
shana-e-baam par damakta hai
mehrban chandni ka dast-e-jamil
KHak mein ghul gai hai aab-e-nujum
nur mein ghul gaya hai arsh ka nil
sabz goshon mein nil-gun sae
lahlahate hain jis tarah dil mein
mauj-e-dard-e-firaq-e-yar aae
dil se paiham KHayal kahta hai
itni shirin hai zindagi is pal
zulm ka zahr gholne wale
kaamran ho sakenge aaj na kal
jalwa-gah-e-visal ki shamen
wo bujha bhi chuke agar to kya
chand ko gul karen to hum jaanen
A Prison Nightfall
The night descends
step by silent step
down the stairway of stars.
The breeze goes by me
like a kindly whispered phrase.
The homeless trees of the prison yard
Are absorbed making patterns
against the sky.
On the roof’s high crest
the loving hand of moonlight rest.
The starry river is drowned in dust
and the sky glows silver with moonlight.
In the dark foliage
shadows play with the wind
as a wave of painful loss
invades the heart.
Defiantly, a thought tells me
how sweet life is at this instant:
Those who brew the poison of cruelty
will not win, tomorrow or today.
They can put out the lamps
where lovers meet;
they cannot blind the moon!
- Book : Nuskha Hai Wafa (Pg. 179)
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