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

Vafā se vaʻdah nahīn̲ / No keeping of promises

No keeping of promises, nor even another promise made;

She had been angry at me with a lover’s rage, but not like this.

.

The wealth of beauty is raining in the House of Lust;

Not even a look into the begging bowl of Love’s beggar.

.

God only knows why I am waiting hopefully

On a road which is not even yours.

.

O glance of eagerness! Don’t become naked before the assembly; 

She may be very unaware, but not so unaware as that.

.

Why the hell this: the beloved’s vow to abandon love; 

Peace of mind is neither here with me nor there with her.

.

From: Naqsh-i faryādī (Image of the Supplicant). Dihlī: Urdū Ghar, 1941.pp. 67- 86

             

No keeping of promises, nor even another promise made;

She had been angry at me with a lover’s rage, but not like this.

.

The wealth of beauty is raining in the House of Lust;

Not even a look into the begging bowl of Love’s beggar.

.

God only knows why I am waiting hopefully

On a road which is not even yours.

.

O glance of eagerness! Don’t become naked before the assembly; 

She may be very unaware, but not so unaware as that.

.

Why the hell this: the beloved’s vow to abandon love; 

Peace of mind is neither here with me nor there with her.

.

From: Naqsh-i faryādī (Image of the Supplicant). Dihlī: Urdū Ghar, 1941.pp. 67- 86