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SRF's translation comes, with his permission, from Mir Taqi Mir: Selected Ghazals and Other Poems, translated by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2019. Murty Classical Library of India; Sheldon Pollock, General Editor. Ghazal 87, pp. 249-251.
FWP:
(inspired by SRF's translation)
(1) Today you have come to my house-- what is here that I would offer you?
other than that clasping you to my side, for a long time, I would hold you in my arms?(2) I became dust, I was flung to the wind, I was trampled underfoot, I was entirely annihilated--
further hardships on the road of passion-- how else would I make them easy?(3) A wan face, tears flowing all the time--two strong witnesses.
Be fair now! How can I deny to you that I am in love?(4) Now whenever I enter a garden my advantage is in keeping my mouth shut.
Why should I praise you-- and bring the rose down on my head?(5) I make a point of showing carelessness-- out of despair.
If that arrogant one showed the least inclination, I would plead a hundred times.(6) I am a faqir, no better than the dust. If I come and sit here, it's only out of courtesy.
Those who disapprove, should simply avoid such scenes.
(7) Every single leaf of the garden knows my situation.
Tell me, oh rose, are there others who should learn of my fruitlessness?
(8) Did I really expect this from those fine-looking people--
to seat the Other beside them, and sent me out disgraced into the streets?(9) Mir-ji is quite the one-- if he comes, should I tell him of my pain?
If he can learn anything at all, he'll spread it around in the gatherings.
Zahra Sabri:
Zahra Sabri is a special guest translator for this site.
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