This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.

Professor Carlo Coppola, Oakland University

Itifāq / By Chance

In a strange land where I have no friend

after spending moments of intense pain

.

By chance it might so happen that one evening somewhere 

I might pass by some such place

where I could catch a glimpse of you in the fleeting crowd 

.

And we may stop still, staring at one another in surprise.

.

From: Yāden̲ (Remembrances), 1963. pp. 79 – 80

In a strange land where I have no friend

after spending moments of intense pain

.

By chance it might so happen that one evening somewhere 

I might pass by some such place

where I could catch a glimpse of you in the fleeting crowd 

.

And we may stop still, staring at one another in surprise.

.

From: Yāden̲ (Remembrances), 1963. pp. 79 – 80