(Bang-e-Dra-047) Bacha aur Shama

Bacha Aur Shama
The Child And The Candle

Kaisi Hairani Hai Ye Ae Tiflak-e-Parwana Khu!
Shama Ke Shaolon Ko Ghariyon Dekhta Rehta Hai Tu

O Child with moth‐like nature, “How strange that
You keep gazing at the flame of the candle for hours

Ye Meri Aghosh Mein Baithe Huwe Junbish Hai Kya
Roshni Se Kya Baghal Geeri Hai Tera Mudda?

What is this movement, when you are in my lap?
Are you intending to embrace the light?

Iss Nazare Se Tera Nanha Sa Dil Heeran Hai
Ye Kisi Dekhi Huwi Shay Ki Magar Pehchan Hai

Though your tiny heart is surprised at this spectacle
But this is recognition of some object already seen!

Shama Ek Shaola Hai Lekin Tu Sarapa Noor Hai
Ah! Iss Mehfil Mein Ye Uryan Hai Tu Mastoor Hai

The candle is but a flame, you are the Light embodied
Ah! In this assembly that is manifest, you are concealed

Dast-e-Qudrat Ne Isse Kya Jane Kyun Uryan Kiya!
Tujh Ko Khak-e-Teera Ke Fanoos Mein Pinhan Kiya

It is not known why the Nature’s hand made it manifest!
And concealed you in the dark soil’s mantle

Noor Tera Chup Gya Zair-e-Naqab-e-Aaghi
Hai Ghubar-e-Didah-e-Beena Hijab-e-Aaghi

Your light has been concealed under the veil of Intellect!
The veil of Cognition is a mere mist to the wise eye!

Zindagaani Jis Ko Kehte Hain Faramoshi Hai Ye
Khawab Hai, Ghaflat Hai, Sar Masti Hai, Behoshi Hai Ye

What is called life really a mirage it is
A dream, a swoon, an ecstasy, oblivion it is

Mehfil-e-Qudrat Hai Ek Darye Be-Payan-e-Husn
Ankh Agar Dekhe To Har Qatre Mein Hai Toofan-e-Husn

The Nature’s assembly is the Beauty’s boundless ocean
For the discerning eye every drop is the Beauty’s storm

Husn, Kohistan Ki Haibatnaak Khamoshi  Mein Hai
Mehr Ki Zou Gastri, Shab Ji Siyah Poshi Mein Hai

Beauty is in the frightening silence of the mountain
In shedding of sun’s light, and in night’s darkness

Asman-e-Subah Ki Aaeena Poshi Mein Hai Ye
Sham Ki Zulmat, Shafaq Ki Gul Faroshi Mein Hai Ye

It is in the morning sky’s mirror‐like glitter
In the night’s darkness and in the twilight’s floridity

Azmat-e-Dairina Ke Mitte Huwe Asaar Mein
Tiflak-e-Na Ashna Ki Koshish-e-Guftar Mein

It is in the disappearing relics of the old magnificence
In the small child’s effort to commence speaking

Sakinan-e-Sehan-e-Gulshan Ki Hum Awazi Mein Hai
Nanhe Nanhe Taeeron Ki Ashiyan Saazi Mein Hai

It is in the harmony of the denizens of the rose‐garden
In the nest‐building efforts of the tiny little birds

Chashma-e-Kuhsar Mein, Darya Ki Azadi Mein Husn
Shehr Mein, Sehra Mein, Weerane Mein, Abadi Mein Husn

In the mountain stream, in the ocean’s freedom is Beauty
In the city, the forest, the wilderness, the habitation is Beauty

Rooh Ko Lekin Kisi Gum Gashta Shay Ki Hai Hawas
Warna Iss Sehra Mein Kyun Nalan Hai Ye Misl-e-Jaras!

The soul but longing for some lost object is
Or else why is it lamenting in wilderness like a bell?

Husn Ke Iss Aam Jalwe Mein Bhiye Betaab Hai
Zindagi Iss Ki Misal-e-Maahi-e-Be Aab Hai

It is restless even in this general splendor of Beauty
Its life is like a fish out of water.