(Bang-e-Dra-048) Kinar-e-Ravi

Kinar-e-Ravi
On The Bank Of The Ravi

Sukoot-e-Shaam Mein Mehv-e-Surood Hai Ravi
Na Puch Mujh Se Jo Kaifiat Mere Dil Ki

Raft in its music, in evening’s hush, the Ravi;
But how it is with this heart, do not ask—

Payam Sajde Ka Ye Zair-o-Bam Huwa Kujh Ko
Jahan Tamam Sawad-e-Haram Huwa Mujh Ko

Hearing in these soft cadences a prayer‐call,
Seeing all earth God’s precinct, here beside

Sir-e-Kinara-e-Aab-e-Rawan Khara Hun Main
Khabar Nahin Mujhe Lekin Kahan Khara Hun Main

The margins of the onward‐flowing waters
Standing I scarcely know where I am standing.

Sharab-e-Surkh Se Rangeen Huwa Hai Daman-e-Shaam
Liye Hai Peer-e-Falak Dast-e-Raishadar Mein Jaam

With palsied hand the taverner of heaven
Has brought the cup: red wine stains evening’s skirt;

Adam Ko Qafila-e-Roz Taizgaam Chala
Shafaq Nahin Hai, Ye Suraj Ke Phool Hain Goya

Day’s heading caravan has made haste towards
Extinction: twilight smoulders like hot ash of the sun’s funeral pyre.

Khare Hain Door Woh Azmat Fazaye Tanhai
Manar-e-Khawabgah-e-Shahsawar-e-Chughtai

 In solitude far off, magnificent, those towers stand,
Where the flower of Mughal chivalry lies asleep;

Fasana-e-Sitam-e-Inqilab Hai Ye Mehal
Koi Zaman-e-Salaf Ki Kitab Hai Ye Mehal

A legend of Time’s tyranny is that palace;
A book, the register of days gone by;

Maqam Kya Hai, Surood-e-Khamosh Hai Goya
Shajar,Ye Anjuman-e-Be-Kharosh Hai Goya

No mansion, but a melody of silence—
No trees, but an unspeaking parliament.

Rawan Hai Seena-e-Darya Pe Ek Safina-e-Taiz
Huwa Hai Mouj Se Mallah Jis Ka Garm-e-Sataiz

Swiftly across the river’s bosom glides
A boat, the oarsman wrestling with the waves,

Subak Rawi Mein Hai Misl-e-Nigah Ye Kashti
Nikal Ke Halqa-e-Hadd-e-Nazar Se Door Gyi

A skiff light‐motioned as a darting glance,
Soon far beyond the eye’s carved boundary.

Jahaz-e-Zindagi-e-Admi Rawan Hai Yunhi
Abad Ke Behar Mein Paida Yunhi, Nihan Hai Yunhi

So glides the bark of mortal life, in the ocean
Of eternity so born, so vanishing,

Shikast Se Ye Kabhi Ashna Nahin Hota
Nazar Se Chupta Hai Lekin Fana Nahin Hota

Yet never knowing what is death;
For it may disappear from sight, but cannot perish.