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

Ae dil-i betāb, ṭahar / O Restless Heart, Wait

The darkness goes on surging

As if blood were oozing from night’s every vein;

.

The pulse of existence is moving

As if the drunkenness of the two worlds were wearing off.

Let night’s warm blood flow on;

.

This darkness is the rouge of dawn’s cheeks;

Morning is about to break. O restless heart, wait.

.

The chain still clatters behind the veil of the lute;

The Book of Causes [Job] still reigns supreme.

Tears roll down into the wine cup;

Still the drunken feet are constrained by custom.

.

Let your mad ones become truly mad;

Let your taverns become real taverns.

Soon this tyranny of Causes will be lifted;

.

This heaviness of custom will be finished

Though the chain may go on clanging, clanging. 

          

.

From: Dast-i ṣabā (Hand of the Wind). Dihlī: Senṭral Buk Ḍipo, 1952. pp. 13 – 14

             

The darkness goes on surging

As if blood were oozing from night’s every vein;

.

The pulse of existence is moving

As if the drunkenness of the two worlds were wearing off.

Let night’s warm blood flow on;

.

This darkness is the rouge of dawn’s cheeks;

Morning is about to break. O restless heart, wait.

.

The chain still clatters behind the veil of the lute;

The Book of Causes [Job] still reigns supreme.

Tears roll down into the wine cup;

Still the drunken feet are constrained by custom.

.

Let your mad ones become truly mad;

Let your taverns become real taverns.

Soon this tyranny of Causes will be lifted;

.

This heaviness of custom will be finished

Though the chain may go on clanging, clanging. 

          

.

From: Dast-i ṣabā (Hand of the Wind). Dihlī: Senṭral Buk Ḍipo, 1952. pp. 13 – 14