(Zarb-e-Kaleem-193) Zagh Kehta Hai Nahayat Badnuma Hain Tere Per

(8)

Zaagh Kehta Hai Nihayat Bad-Numa Hain Tere Par
Shapparak Hehti Hai Tujh Ko Kaur Chashm-o-Be-Hunar

The crow cavils that your wings are ill‐looking,
The bat calls you blind and skill‐less.

Lekin Ae Shahbaz! Ye Murghan-e-Sehra Ke Achoot
Hain Fazaye Neelgun Ke Paich-o-Kham Se Be-Khabar

But O falcon! These pariahs among the birds of the desert
Are unaware of the nooks and corners of the blue heaven.

Un Ko Kya Maloom Uss Tair Ke Ahwal-o-Maqamat
Rooh Hai Jis Ki Dam-e-Parwaz Sar Ta Pa Nazar!

What they know of the experiences of a bird
Whose soul, while in flight, is all sight!