This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.
Jang bāzon̲ kā farmān / Command of the Warmongers
Think of the smell of blood and gunpowder as perfume;
The command now is to regard wounds as fresh flowers;
Take the pleasure of an embrace from death
And think of the sword’s curve as the beloved’s form;
Call war peace and peace war;
Consider the prickly thorn the same as a flower;
The wealth of the tearful eye is common everywhere;
Consider tears a cup of wine;
Give the spirit of Satan the name of Gabriel;
Think of lies as God’s commands, the Prophet’s word.
3 September 1965
With M. H. K. Qureshi
.
From: Pairāhan-i sharar (Garment of Fire), 1965. p. 53
Jang bāzon̲ kā farmān is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970
Think of the smell of blood and gunpowder as perfume;
The command now is to regard wounds as fresh flowers;
Take the pleasure of an embrace from death
And think of the sword’s curve as the beloved’s form;
Call war peace and peace war;
Consider the prickly thorn the same as a flower;
The wealth of the tearful eye is common everywhere;
Consider tears a cup of wine;
Give the spirit of Satan the name of Gabriel;
Think of lies as God’s commands, the Prophet’s word.
3 September 1965
With M. H. K. Qureshi
.
From: Pairāhan-i sharar (Garment of Fire), 1965. p. 53
Jang bāzon̲ kā farmān is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970
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