In silence
There is a channel between voice and presence, a way where information flows. In disciplined silence the channel opens. With wandering talk, it closes.…
Let go of all distractions
My heart, sit only with those who know and understand you. Sit only under a tree, that is full of blossoms. In the bazaar…
Faiz translated by Vikram Seth
Came across this beautiful translation of Faiz’s touching verse by Vikram Seth. It is a great translation as it ventures to capture the melody…
“Man-Bitten” Ghalib: introducing himself
Ghalib’s immortal and complex poetry transcends time and sometimes even the boundaries of human thought. The translation of this ghazal was found in Mirza…
Petal to Petal..More of Parveen Shakir
Nirmal has been visiting this blog and requesting for more translations of Parveen Shakir. I have found some on the Internet and here they…
Immersed in His glow – Rumi
where have you gone the settler of my soul did you fly away or hide in your home as soon as you saw the…
The Faustus In Us (translation by Temporal)
Temporal read a translation of Parveen Shakir’s poem on this blog and created another translation. In many ways, this is a more modern version,…
love orphan and ish’q yateem – poems by Temporal
Temporal is a fine trancreative (a term invented by Temporal himself) poet. The ability to write and translate in multiple languages is a unique…
We Are All Dr Faustus – Parveen Shakir
Last month, in the freezing climes of Islamabad, we talked about Parveen Shakir, Pakistan’s popular poet who died at a young age. One of…
Mission Accomplished – Louise Rill on Iraq
Stumbling upon Louise Rill’s poetry website was rewarding. I found this unyielding poem on Iraq operation signifying the emotions of many citizens in the…
O how the Beloved fits inside my heart
O how the Beloved fits inside my heart; Like a thousand souls in one body, A thousand harvests in one sheaf of wheat, A…
Turned by the Waves of Love
Know that the wheeling heavens are turned by waves of Love: were it not for Love, the world would be frozen, stiff. How would…
Shah Ast Hussain – II
After reading my earlier post, my dear friend Sheraz Haider has corrected the translation of the Persian quatrain Shah Ast Hussain as follows: Ruler…
Unending thirst – Rumi
I don’t get tired of You. Don’t grow weary of being compassionate toward me! All this thirst-equipment must surely be tired of me, the…
The subject tonight is love – hafiz
Carrying God No one can keep us from carrying God Wherever we go. No one can rob His Name From our heart as we…
Body Loom – by Pakistan’s notable poet
Body Loom by M. Athar Tahir Published in the Daily Dawn (reviewer- Muneeza Shamsie) There have been so few notable English language poetry collections…
“I am free, my mind is free..”- Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah’s original thought and courage has always inspired me. A few days ago, I was struck by these verses of Bulleh Shah. I…
Rites of Sense – a poem
Meena Alexander’s poem Rites of Sense’ concerns the fundamental question of freedom . The poem was published in Meena Alexander’s book, Illiterate Heart (TriQuarterly…
Seek the Fountain Within Yourself
There are two kinds of intelligence. One is that acquired by a child at school from books and teachers, new ideas and memorization. Your…
…in the Crevices of My Dreams
I had written about Ayesha Salman and her poetry earlier. I just read this poem by her that she had written for her beloved…