This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.
Āfāq nihān̲ hai / If the horizon is hidden
If the horizon is hidden, then let’s speak of the limitation of the glance.
If the stars drown, then let’s speak of dawn.
.
Let us speak of space, of ocean and land;
Paradise is very far above; let us speak of our home.
.
Let us make autumn run over with the smell of flowers and roses;
If spring has not come, let us speak of green.
.
My dear sir, you speak of the philosophy of good and evil;
As for us, we care only to test the greatness of Man.
.
Who will pick stars with hands covered with wounds?
Come, let us speak of the dust on the road!
.
1953
From: Sho‘lah-i gul(Flame of the Rose), 1953. pp 202 – 203
If the horizon is hidden, then let’s speak of the limitation of the glance.
If the stars drown, then let’s speak of dawn.
.
Let us speak of space, of ocean and land;
Paradise is very far above; let us speak of our home.
.
Let us make autumn run over with the smell of flowers and roses;
If spring has not come, let us speak of green.
.
My dear sir, you speak of the philosophy of good and evil;
As for us, we care only to test the greatness of Man.
.
Who will pick stars with hands covered with wounds?
Come, let us speak of the dust on the road!
.
1953
From: Sho‘lah-i gul(Flame of the Rose), 1953. pp 202 – 203
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