(Bang-e-Dra-129) Shabnam Aur Sitare

Shabnam Aur Sitare
The Dew And The Stars

Ek Raat Ye Kehne Lage Shabnam Se Sitare
Har Subah Naye Tujh Ko Mayassar Hain Nazare

One night the stars said to the dew:
‘Every morning you get to see new sights.

Kya Janiye, Tu Kitne Jahan Dekh Chuki Hai
Jo Ban Ke Mite, Un Ke Nishan Dekh Chuki Hai

Who knows how many worlds you have seen!
You have seen the traces left behind by those who once flourished but then perished.

Zohra Ne Suni Hai Ye Khabar Aik Malik Se
Insanon Ki Basti Hai Bohat Door Falak Se

Venus has heard this news from an angel:
Far, far from the heavens is the city of men.

Keh Hum Se Bhi Uss Kishwar-e-Dilkash Ka Fasana
Gata Hai Qamar Jis Ki Mohabbat Ka Tarana

Tell us the story of that beautiful realm
which is serenaded by the moon.

Ae Taro Na Pucho Chamanistan-e-Jahan Ki
Gulshan Nahin, Ek Basti Hai Woh Aah-o-Faghan Ki

‘Do not ask me, stars, about the garden of the world;
It is no garden, but a town filled with sighs and screams.

Ati Hai Saba Waan Se Palat Jane Ki Khatir
Bechari Kali Khilti Hai Murjhane Ki Khatir

The west wind arrives there, only to leave again;
The poor bud blooms, but only to Wither.

Kya Tum Se Kahun Kya Chaman Afroz Kali Hai
Nanha Sa Koi Shaola Besouz Kali Hai

How do I describe to you the bud that brightens the garden—
It is a tiny flame with no heat!

Gul-e-Nala-e-Bulbul Ki Sada Sun Nahin Sakta
Daman Se Mere Motiyon Ko Chun Nahin Sakta

The rose cannot hear the nightingale’s cry,
Or pick up pearls from the fold of my hem.

Hain Murgh-e-Nawa Raiz Giraftar, Ghazab Hai
Ugte Hai Teh-e-Saya-e-Gul Khar, Ghazab Hai

The songbirds are captive—what an outrage!
Thorns grow in the rose’s shadow‐what an outrage!

Rehti Hai Sada Nargis-e-Bimaar Ki Tar Aankh
Dil Talib-e-Nazara Hai, Mehroom-e-Nazar Ankh

The eyes of the ailing narcissus are never dry.
The heart longs to see, but the eyes are blind.

Dil Soukhta-e-Garmi-e-Faryad Hai Shamshad
Zindani Hai Aur Naam Ko Azad Hai Shamshad

The ardour of its complaint has burnt the tall tree’s heart;
The tree is a captive, and is free only in name.

Tare Sharar-e-Aah Hain Insan Ki Zuban Mein
Mein Girya-e-Gardoon Hun Gulistan Ki Zuban Mein

The stars ‐ in the language of men ‐ are sparks struck by human sighs;
In the language of gardens, I am the sky’s tears.

Nadani Hai Ye Gard-e-Zameen Touf Qamar Ka
Samjha Hai Ke Darman Hai Wahan Dagh Jigar Ka

It is foolish how the moon circles the earth—
It believes that the earth will heal the scar in its heart!

Bunyad Hai Kashana-e-Alam Ki Hawa Par
Faryad Ki Tasveer Hai Qartas-e-Faza Par

The world is a cottage built in the air—
A picture of lament drawn on the canvas of space.’