Ghazal

by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi

*handwritten Urdu text by the author, early 1980's*



In a stone's grey shade
a poppy bloomed last night
two little girls today
broke its neck, my honoured Sir!


My eyes had no light, only
God's name
I broke my legs and
sat at home. What else
could I have done, my honoured Sir?


There's no store in town
that sells the bright blue sun
To whom then should I sell
my words, my tune
dear honoured Sir?







[patthar kii bhuurii o;T me;N laalah khilaa thaa kal]
translated by the author