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

Iʻtimād / Confidence

The rebellious winds said: You’re just a particle;

I will sweep you away in a snap; 

The river wave approached and said: 

You’re just a straw for me;

I will take you away like that.

A flame of quick fire said: I’ll consume you;

And the earth said: I’ll swallow you up.

I pulled veil from my face and said, laughing:

I am Solomon, the son of Adam, that is, 

Man!

.

From: Yāden̲ (Remembrances), 1963. p. 56

The rebellious winds said: You’re just a particle;

I will sweep you away in a snap; 

The river wave approached and said: 

You’re just a straw for me;

I will take you away like that.

A flame of quick fire said: I’ll consume you;

And the earth said: I’ll swallow you up.

I pulled veil from my face and said, laughing:

I am Solomon, the son of Adam, that is, 

Man!

.

From: Yāden̲ (Remembrances), 1963. p. 56