kabhi hum khubsurat thay
kitaboan man base khushbu ki manind
sana sakin the
buhat say ankahay lafzoan say taswerain banatay thay
parindoan kay paroan per nazm likh ker
dur ki jheeloan main basnay walay
logoan ko sunatay thay
jo hum say dur thay laikin
humaray pass rehtay thay
nayae din ki musafat jub kiran kay saath
angan main uterte the
to hum kehtay thay
humain mathay pay bosa do
keh hum ko
jugnuoan kay, titliyoan kay dais jana hay
hamain rangoan kay jugnoon
roshni ki titliyaan awaz daite hain
nayae din ki musafat rung main doobe hawa kay saath
khirkee say bulate hay
hamain mathay pay bosa do
hamain mathay pay bosa do…
Ah! once upon a time I, too, was ranked among good-looking
My breath, then, had the quality of stillness of the fragrance,
That oft resides inside the books, so tranquil and serene
I’d often paint those verbal paintings, though I’d do it wordlessly …
My lyrics I Inscribed on feathery wings of birds, to sing
To those residing in the lakes of yonder, who
Lived, Oh so far away from me, yet felt so close at hand
A ray of light, when it carried such a fresh expanse
Of a brand-new day —
Alighting, Oh so gently, in the courtyard of my home
I’d mutter, then, so dreamily …
“Oh, Mommy dear! Look at the wings of butterflies — so pretty!”
Oh, do implant a (loving) kiss on forehead mine!
‘Cause I am but destined to go, reside …
In the land of butterflies and luminescent fireflies
The fireflies of colour beckon me, as do
The butterflies of a scintillating realm, too
The journey of a brand-new day now beckons me,
Through gentle breeze that — colour-drenched — through window blows, sibilant …
Oh, do implant a (loving) kiss on forehead mine!
Oh, do implant a (parting) kiss on forehead mine!