(Bang-e-Dra-013) Khuftagan-e-khak Se Istafsar

Khuftagan-e-Khak Se Istafsar
The Interrogation Of The Dead

Mehr-e-Roshan Chup Gya, Uthi Niqab-e-Ruye Sham
Shan-e-Hasti Pe Hai Bikhra Huwa Gaisuay Sham

The bright sun is hidden, the night shows its face
The night’s hair is spread on shoulders of the earth

Ye Seyh Poshi  Ki Tayari Kisi Ke Gham Mein Hai
Mehfil-e-Qudrat Magar Khurshid Ke Matam Mein Hai

This black dress is preparation for some one’s mourning
Perhaps the Nature’s assemblage for the sun is mourning

Ker Raha Hai Aasman Jadoo Lab-e-Guftar Per
Sahar-e-Shab Ki Nazar Hai Didah-e-Beedar Per

The sky is casting a spell over the talking lip
The night’s magician is watching the awakened eye

Ghota Zan Daryae Khamoshi Mein Hai Mouj-e-Hawa
Haan, Magar Ek Door Se Ati Hai Awaz E Dra

The wind current is submerged in the river of silence
However, the tolling bell’s sound comes from the distance

Dil Ke Hai Betabi-e-Ulfat Mein Duniya Se Nafoor
Khanch Laya Hai Mujhe Hangama E Aalam Se Door

Heart which in love’s turmoil is evading the world
Has dragged me here far from the maddening crowd

Manzar-e-Herman Naseebi Ka Tamashayi Hun Main
Hum Nasheen-e-Khuftagan-e-Kunj Tanhai Hun Main

I am the spectator of the spectacle of disappointments
I am the associate of those sleeping in solitude’s corner

Tham Zara Betabi-e-Dil! Baith Jane De Mujhe
Aur Iss Basti Pe Char Aansu Girane De Mujhe

O My restlessness! Wait and let me rest awhile
And let me shed a few tears at this habitation

Ae Mye Ghaflat Ke Sermasto! Kahan Rehte Ho Tum?
Kuch Kaho Uss Dais Ki Aakhir, Jahan Rehte Ho Tum

O those steeped in a swoon, “Where are you?
Tell me something of the land where you live

Woh Bhi Hairat Khana-e-Amroz O Farda Hai Koi?
Aur Pikar-e-Anasir Ka Tamasha Hai Koi

Is that world also one of prevarication?
Is that world also one of denizens’ struggle?

Admi Wan Bhi Hisar-e-Gham Mein Hai Mehsoor Kya?
Uss Walayat Mein Bhi Hai Insan Ka Dil Majboor Kya?

Is Man engulfed by sorrow in that land also?
Is Man’s heart suppressed and helpless in that land also?

Wan Bhi Jal Merta Hai Soz-e-Shama Per Parwana Kya?
Uss Chaman Mein Bhi Gull-o-Bulbul Ka Hai Afsana Kya?

Does the moth burn itself in candle’s love in that land also?
Does the tale of flower and nightingale exist in that garden also?

Yan To Ek Misre Mein Pehlu Se Nikal Jata Hai Dil
Shair Ki Germi Se Kya Wan Bi Phigalta Jata Hai Dil?

In this world a single hemistich perturbs the heart
Does there also the warmth of verse soften the heart?

Rishta-o-Pewandiyan Ke Jaan Ka Azaar Hain
Uss Gulistan Mein Bhi Kya Aese Nukile Khar Hain?

This world’s relations and alliances life’s woes are
Are similar sharp thorns present in that garden also?

Iss Jahan Mein Ek Maeeshat Aur So Uftad Hai
Rooh Kya Uss Daes Mein Iss Fikar Se Azad Hai?

The daily bread and a million calamities this world has
Does the soul freedom from anxieties in that world has?

Kya Wahan Bijli Bhi Hai, Dehqan Bhi Hai, Kherman Bhi Hai?
Kafle Wale Bhi Hain, Andaisha Rehzan Bhi Hai?

Are the thunder, the farmer, the harvest there also?
Are the caravan and the robber’s fear there also?

Tinke Chunte Hain Wahan Bhi Aashiyan Ke Wastay?
Khishat-e-Gill Ki Fikar Hoti Hai Makan Ke Wastay?

Do birds collect bits of straw for nests there also?
Is the search for bricks and clay for house there also?

Wan Bhi Insan Apni Asliyat Se Begane Hain Kya ?
Imtiaz-e-Millat-o-Aaeen Ke Diwane Hain Kya?

Are the humans unaware of their reality there also?
Are they after nations’ and customs’ discrimination there also

Wan Bhi Kya Faryad-e-Bulbul Per Chaman Rota Nahin?
Iss Jahan Ki Tarah Wan Bhi Dard-e-Dil Hota Nahin?

Does garden not cry at the nightingale’s wail there also?
Like this world is there no sympathy in that world also?

Bagh Hai Fardous Ya Ek Manzal-e-Aramhai?
Ya Rukh E Be Perwa Husn-e-Azal Ka Naam Hai?

Does the Paradise a garden or a restful mansion constitute?
Or does the Eternal Beauty’s Unveiled Face it constitute?

Kya Jahanum Maseeyat Sozi Ki Ek Tarkeeb Hai?
Aag Ke Sholon Mein Pinhan Maqsad-e-Tadeeb Hai?

Does hell a method of burning away sins constitute?
Or it in flames of fire a way of discipline constitute?

Kya Ewz Raftar Ke Uss Dais Mein Parwaz Hai?
Mout Kehte Hain Jise Ahle Zameen, Kya Raaz Hai?

Has walking given way to speedy flying in that world?
What is the secret of what is called death by denizens of this world?

Iztarab-e-Dil Ka Saman Yan Ki Hast-o-Bood Hai
Ilm E Insan Uss Walayat Mein Bhi Kya Mehdood Hai?

Life eases the heart’s restlessness in this world
Is human knowledge also restricted in that world?

Deed Se Taskeen Pata Hai Dil-e-Mahjoor Bhi?
'Lan Tarani' Keh Rahe Hain Ya Wahan Ke Toor Bhi?

Does the separated heart get satisfaction by sight there also?
Are “Lan Tarani” saying the Turs of that land also

Justujoo Mein Hai Wahan Bhi Rooh Ko Aaram Kya?
Wan Bhi Insan Hai Qateel-e-Zauq-e-Istafham Kya?

Does the soul get solace in longing there also?
Is man a victim of desire to learn there also?

Aah! Vo Kishwar Bhi Tareeki Se Kya Mamoor Hai?
Ya Mohabbat Ki Tajalli Se Sarapa Noor Hai?

Ah! Is that land also filled with darkness?
Or with Love’s light is completely illuminated?

Tum Bata Do, Raaz Jo Iss Gunbad-e-Gardan Mein Hai
Mout Ek Chubhta Huwa Kanta Dil-e-Insan Mein Hai

Tell us what the secret under this rotating dome is
Death a pricking sharp thorn in the human heart is.