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

Ajīb k̲h̲vāhish / Strange Desires

How many mirrors 

In the house?

One in the wardrobe

On the table a 

Heart-shaped mirror

Here and there mirrors on the wall

A tiny mirror 

In big sister’s purse

A faded one for 

Munni’s dolls

A broken one in 

Juman’s box

A mirror inside 

mommy’s snuffbox.

How many mirrors

In the house?

Still, I wanted 

To see myself in their eyes!!

.

From:  Āk̲h̲irī din kī talāsh (Search for the Last Day). Allāhābād: Shabk̲h̲ūn Kitāb G̲h̲ar, 1968. pp. 80 – 81

             

How many mirrors 

In the house?

One in the wardrobe

On the table a 

Heart-shaped mirror

Here and there mirrors on the wall

A tiny mirror 

In big sister’s purse

A faded one for 

Munni’s dolls

A broken one in 

Juman’s box

A mirror inside 

mommy’s snuffbox.

How many mirrors

In the house?

Still, I wanted 

To see myself in their eyes!!

.

From:  Āk̲h̲irī din kī talāsh (Search for the Last Day). Allāhābād: Shabk̲h̲ūn Kitāb G̲h̲ar, 1968. pp. 80 – 81