Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har khwaish pe dam nikle / Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all

Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har khwaish pe dam nikle,
Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi dam nikle.

Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all,
Many a wish have I realised; yet I yearn for more.

Nikalna khuld se aadam, ka sunte aae the lekin,
Bahut be aabroo ho kar tere kuche se ham nikle.

Often have we heard about Adam's exile from Eden,
Humiliating much more was my exit from your door.

Mahabbat mein nahin hai farq jeene aur marne ka,
Usi ko dekh kar jeete hain, jis kaafir pe dam nikle.

There is little difference in life and death when we are in love,
The same infidel sustains our life, for whom we pine to die.

Kahaan maikhana ka darwaaza Ghalib, aur kahaan waiz,
Par itna jante hain kal woh jaata tha ke ham nikle.

The preacher and the tavern door are things wide apart,
Yet yesterday I saw him enter, as I was coming out.


Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har khwaish pe dam nikle,
Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi dam nikle.

Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all,
Many a wish have I realised; yet I yearn for more.

-- Mirza AsadUllah Khan 'Ghalib' [translated by Samir]

Zindagi aaee thi kal shaam dastak pe / Life knocked on my door last night

Zindagi aaee thi kal shaam dastak pe,

Shayad kuch uDhaar tha uska,

Ya phir kuch lautane aaee thi.

Chota dil, kam zubaan, mein kya poochta Kyun aaee ho?.

KunDi koli and aur andhar aane ki dawaat di.

Ghareeb ke ghar mein diya nahi hai.

Bas aagan mein chandNi ki chadar hai.

Woh boli shaam sarD hai, thodi se aag jala do ge.

Mein fauran saari poonji aur Unke khat eKKhatta kiye

Aur apne dil ke saath unhe bhi aag laga di.

Ham dono khamoosh baiThe rahe.

Aag subho subho tak jalti rahi,

Subho jab aanKh khuli to aangan mein,

Mein ne sirf raaKh ka Dher aur ek Dil paya.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Life knocked on my door last night.

May be I had borrowed something from her,

Or she wanted to return some of mine.

Humble heart, poor peasant, How can I ask “What brings thee here?”

I opened the door, and invited the grace in my abode.

With nothing better to offer, I seated her on terrace, with moonlight as mat.

“Cold breeze is, Will thee lit a fire?” she asked slowly.

I ran inside with all might, brought out all my savings and Her letters to me.

All piled together, I lit the fire on top of my terrace.

And threw my heart into the fire, hoping it will burn longer.

With silence and fire between us we sat there looking into other’s eyes.

Fire burnt till early morning. When Sun said “Good morning”, I woke up.

And found nothing but a pile of ashes and a warm heart.

-- Toufeeq

KaThai aaNkhen teri/ Those brown eyes

KaThai aaNkhen teri
MeeThi baaThen teri

Woh muskurana tera
Aise sharmana tera

Pheli baarish ka paani ho
Ya haseen ek kahani ho

Ek shayer ka qalm ho
Har sufi ka kalaam ho

Oonchi ek tasveer tu
Kissi ki takhdeer tu

Har dil habeeb tera
Koi to naseeb tera

--------------------------------------------

Those brown eyes
And your sweet talk

The way you smile
And your shy walk

First drop of rain you are
Or a beautiful fable you are

A poet’s quill you are
Or a mystic’s chanting you are

Yours a painting hung on the sky
You are the luck whole world can’t buy

Every heart beats with yours
Destiny’s walk ends with yours

-- Toufeeq

[ English version is not exact translation of Urdu’s, but more like inspired version of it]

And the people see me and call a dervish.

Laden with my load of misdeeds, I move about in the garb of black garments. And the people see me and call a dervish.

My promise with my love, a long way to go and a muddy lane ahead. If I move I spoil my cloak; if I stay I break my word.

Drenched and smirched be the cloak; let God's cloud pour out all the waters: Go I must; I go to keep my word of love.

-- Baba Farid

Bullaya Ki Jaana Main Kaun/ Says Bullaya who knows who I am!

Bullaya Ki Jaana Main Kaun
Bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun
na mein momin wich maseetein
na mein wich kufr di reetan
na mein paakan wich paleet aan
na mein moosa na firoan
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun

aawwal aakhir aap nun jaanan
ne mein koi dooja aur pichaanan
mein tu wadd naa koi siyana
bulleya ho bulleya
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun
na mein aabi na mein khaki
na mein aatish na mein poun
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun
na mein paakan wich paleet aan
na mein moosa na firoan
bulleya ki jaanan mein kaun

Listen to 'Junoon' version of this song here

=======================================
Says Bullaya,
who knows who I am!
I am not in the mosque of the believer,
Nor in false rites.
I am not in the pure or the impure.
Neither Moses nor Pharaoh.
Says Bullaya, who knows who I am!

I am not in the vedas or holy books,
Not in drug or wine.
Not in the drunkards wasted intoxication,
Not in wakefulness or sleep.
Says Bullaya, who knows who I am!

I am not in sorrow nor in joy,
Neither in clean nor unclean.
I am not water, I am not earth,
I am not fire, I am not air.
Says Bullaya, who knows who I am!

I am not from Arabia or Lahore,
Nor from India or Nagaur.
Neither a hindu or muslim from Peshawar,
Nor do I live in Nadaun.
Says Bullaya, who knows who I am!
I cannot be unearthed in the mysteries of religion.

I was not born of Adam and Eve.
I am not the name I assume.
I am not in stillness, not in movement.
Finally, I only know myself.
I cannot know any other.
Who could be wiser than I?
Bullaya asks, who then, stands here?
Says Bullaya, who knows who I am!
-- Bulleh Shah [translated by Kartar Singh Duggal??]

Until

I think we are frightened every

Moment of our lives

Until we

Know

Him

-- Hafiz

Come to the orchard in spring

Come to the orchard in spring

There is light and wine

And sweethearts

In the pomegranate flowers

If you do not come

These do not matter

If you do come

These do not matter

----Rumi

Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar / I'm a poet only for a second or two

mai.n pal do pal ka shaayar huu.n	I'm a poet only for a second or two;
pal do pal merii kahaanii hai	my story will be over in a few seconds.
pal do pal merii ha.nstii hai	My laughter is only for a moment or two;
pal do pal merii jawaanii hai	my youth will be over in a few moments.
mai.n pal do pal ka shaayar huu.n	I'm a poet only for a second or two.
mujhse pahale kitne shaayar aaye aur aakar chale gaye	Many poets came before me, and after coming, departed;
kuchh aahe.n bharkar lauT gaye	some went filled with sighs,
kuchh nagme gaakar chale gaye	and some went singing songs.
voh bhii ek pal ka qissa tha	They were only the story of a moment in time;
mai.n bhii ek pal ka qissa huu.n	I too am only the story of a moment.
kal tumse judaa ho jaa'uu.nga	Tomorrow I will be separated from you,
voh aaj tumhaara hissa huu.n	but for today, I'm a part of you.
mai.n pal do pal ka shaayar huu.n	I'm a poet of a moment or two, no more.
kal aur aa'e.nge nagmo.n kii	Tomorrow new songs will arrive,
khiltii kaliyaa.n chunnevaale	freshly bloomed blossoms to be plucked.
mujhse behatar kahanevaale	There will be better storytellers than me,
tumse behatar sunnevaale	and better listeners than you.
kal koii mujhko yaad kare	Tomorrow, someone might remember me;
kyo.n koii mujhko yaad kare	but why should anyone remember me?
masaruuf zamaana mere li'e	For my sake, why should this busy world
kyo.n vaqt apna barbaad kare	waste its time?
mai.n pal do pal ka shaayar huu.n	I'm a poet only for a moment or two.

-- Sahir Ludianvi (One of the greatest poet of last century) , translation : unknown, Picture is from Movie "Kabhie Kabhie" in which this song was featured. Amitabh signs autograph for Rakhi, after this song.

Love, I don't know what it is.

Love, I don't know
What it is, seed you
Sow for happiness to grow
To fill you up, when you are low.

Love, I don't know
What it is, we all go
In search of it, every noon
Hoping to find it, later or soon.

Love, I don't know
What it is, may be you
Feel the heart grow
Bigger, knees touch the low.

Love, I don't know
What it is, life so
Held in a cup called love
Warmly by the one above.

Can't Buy Me Love

Can't buy me love, love,
Can't buy me love.
I'll buy you diamond ring my friend,
If it makes you feel alright,
I'll get you anything my friend,
If it makes you feel alright,
For I don't care too much for money,
For money can't buy love.
I'll give you all I've got to give,
If you'll say you love me too,
I may not have alot to give,
But what I've got I'll give to you,
For I don't care too much for money,
For money can't buy love.
Can't buy me love, ev'rybody tells me so,
Can't buy me love, no, no, no, no.
Say you don't want no diamond ring,
And I'll be satisfied,
Tell me that you want those kind of things,
That money just can't buy,
For I don't care too much for money,
For money can't buy love.
Can't buy me love, ev'rybody tells me so,
Can't buy me love, no, no, no, no.
Say you don't want no diamond ring,
And I'll be satisfied,
Tell me that you want those kind of things,
That money just can't buy,
For I don't care too much for money,
For money can't buy love.
Can't buy me love, ev'rybody tells me so,
Can't buy me love, no, no, no, no.
Can't buy me love, love,
Can't buy me love.

-- Paul McCartney

Friendship IXX

Friendship IXX

And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."


Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

-- Khalil Gibran [from 'The Prophet']

Zindagii se baDii sazaa hii nahiin / No chastisement is harder than Life

zindagii se baDii sazaa hii nahiin
aur kyaa jurm hai pataa hii nahiin

itane hisson men baT gayaa huuN main
mere hisse men kuchh bachaa hii nahiin

jaD do chaaNdii men chaahe sone men
aaiinaa jhuuTh bolataa hii nahiin

---------------------------------------------------
No chastisement is harder than Life
Don't know what's my crime

Been split into million parts
Don't have nothing of mine left

Golden frame or silver, around it
Mirror, still, doesn't tell a lie.


---- Krishan Bihari Noor [translated by Toufeeq]

Seeking life beyond

Seeking life beyond
For thirsty soul
One drop of mercy
One foot of paradise
Far away, above seven skies
Seeking life beyond
O' Allah awaken us.

I wanna feel

I wanna feel that sweet pain
She’s gone for a moment and I
Miss her like years years and on

I wanna feel that heartbeat
On my chest , like two hearts
Competing in a marathon

I wanna feel that tender hands
On my palms, makes Chicago winter
Look so warm

I wanna feel that oneness,
So beautifully she can say
All my thoughts

I wanna feel that moment
Hurt she gets slightly, and tears
Roll down my eyes

I wanna feel that smile
On her face, makes this messy world
A place worth to live

I wanna feel that calmness
In her eyes, makes this confusion around
Look like a silent calm lake

Don't sleep now

Don't sleep now. Let the turning
night wheel through this circle.

Your brow, the moon, this
lantern we sit with.

Stay awake with these
lights. Don't sleep.
------------------

The way of love is not
a subtle argument.

The door there
is devastation.

Birds make great sky-circles
of their freedom.
How do they learn it?

They fall, and falling,
they're given wings.

-- Rumi

InshaAllah, I will post one of my poems, As soon as I feel one. Life is not poetic these days, it is lazily worrisome and boringly testing patience. InshaAllah my breath and breeze around me will soon rhyme again.

You came down from your throne

You came down from your throne and stood at my cottage door.

I was singing all alone in a corner, and the melody caught your ear. You came down and stood at my cottage door.

Masters are many in your hall, and songs are sung there at all hours. But the simple carol of this novice struck at your love.

One plaintive little strain mingled with the great music of the world, and with a flower for a prize you came down and stopped at my cottage door.

-- Rabindranath Tagore [from Gitanjali, which got him nobel prize]

Miltii Hai Zi.Ndagii Me.N

Milttii Hai Zi.Ndagii Me.N Mohabbat Kabhii\-Kabhii
Hotii Hai Dilbaro.N Kii Inaayat Kabhii\-Kabhii

Sharmaa Ke Mu.Nh Na Pher Nazar Ke Savaal Par
Laatii Hai Aise Mo.D Par Qismat Kabhii\-Kabhii

Khulate Nahii.N Hai.N Roz Dariche Bahaar Ke
Aatii Hai Jaan\-E\-Man Ye Qayaamat Kabhii\-Kabhii

Tanahaa Na Kat Sake.Nge Javaanii Ke Raaste
Pesh Aa_Egii Kisiikii Zaruurat Kabhii\-Kabhii

Phir Kho Na Jaae.N Ham Kahii.N Duniyaa Kii Bhii.D Me.N
Milatii Hai Paas Aane Kii Muhalat Kabhii\-Kabhii

Hotii Hai Dilbaro.N Kii Inaayat Kabhii\-Kabhii
Milatii Hai Zi.Ndagii Me.N Mohabbat Kabhii Kabhii ...

-- Sahir Ludhianvi [1968]

Wanna listen to this song :

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/WJfmF3m9X9.As1NMvHdW/

Movie Name: Aankhen (1968)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music Director: Ravi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Year: 1968
Producer: Sagar Art International
Director: Ramanand Sagar

I died for beauty

I died for beauty, but was scarce
Adjusted in the tomb,
When one who died for truth was lain
In an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed?
"For beauty," I replied.
"And I for truth, -the two are one;
We brethren are," he said.

And so, as kinsmen met a night,
We talked between the rooms,
Until the moss had reached our lips,
And covered up our names.

-- Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

That Shapes the Eye

That Shapes the Eye

Children
Can easily open the
Drawer

That lets the spirit rise up and wear
Its favorite costume of
Mirth and laughter.

When the mind is consumed with
Remembrance of
Him (Allah)

Something divine happens to the
Heart

That
Shapes the hand and tongue
And eye into
The word
Love.

-- Hafiz
(translations by Daniel Ladinsky)

‘Tis my heart, not brick, nor stone / Dil Hi To Hai Na Sang-o-Khist

‘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?

-- Mirza Asadullah Khan 'Ghalib'