If you were now to lift the veil which nourishes evil, that would be good.

If you were to make your own beauty your veil, that would be good.

Your downcast glance is itself the guardian of your chastity.

If you were to test the bite of this lancet, that would be good.

Furrows on your forehead are themselves a punishment in the laws of nature;

If you were to mete out punishments with this very sword, that would be good.

This, your pale face, this dry lip, this fantasy, this solitude;

If you were to drive back these clouds from your head, that would be good.

What’s to be gained from wounding your wounded heart more? 

If you were now to wipe away your tears and smile, that would be good.

May houses, palaces, castles, and whatever else be under your authority; 

I would say that instead, you should take away both earth and sky.

Even if, in solitude, you would lift up your head, what would then be gained?

If coming into a crowd, you would bow your head, that would be good.

The tika on your forehead is the star of men’s destiny;

If you were to sing songs of awareness, that would be good. 

Blood spots stain your enemies’ daggers;

If you were to match them with the colour of your cheek, that would be good.

Young reckless rebels have drawn their spears;

If you now brought [surgical] instruments to these wounds, that would be good.

The anchal about your forehead is indeed beautiful, but

If you were to make that anchal a flag, that would be good. 

                1937

 

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From: Āhang (Melody; 1938). Dihlī: Āzād Kitāb Ghar. 1956. pp. 80 – 82

This poem is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970