My every couplet is, in reality, a history of a nation;

I swear by my world-wanderings His universality.

The world calls that free man, who in this age

Is a seeker of justice and munificence, mad.

Even the Greatest Creator Who still lives in the solitude of

            every soul 

Is called the idol of our imagination.

That poet who is holding a pen of gold 

Solves the problems of poverty.

Every person is avoiding the hard facts;

Every person lives the practice of shying away.

Nothing new in emotions; no breadth in ideas;

In writing, no beauty; in discourse, no strength.

Ambition of newborn youth is chilled

And old age is goaded down with the heavy burden of sorrow.

That thing which is written in Western books 

Is, in the eyes of the East, equal to the Quran.

Permission of laws is deeded to live!

My God, this is tyranny, tyranny!

.

1941

From: Intik̲h̲āb-i kalām aḥmad nadīm qāsimī , 1956. pp 18 – 19