Faraz Translated
By Dr. Rizwana Rahim
Chicago, IL
Much has been written about Faraz’s Urdu poetry since his death a few weeks ago. His poetry seems to have struck a note across the linguistic lines. For some non-Urdu speaking groups, I happened to translate a couple of his poems in English, realizing again in the process, how Urdu metaphors, imagery and concepts do not travel well. An attempt to take them across the linguistic and cultural lines isn’t without peril. That said, here it is:
1. Dreams Don’t Die (Khwaab Mur-thay Nahin)
Dreams don’t die --
they are not heart, eyes or life itself that,
when smashed, will scatter
and die.
Dreams don’t die --
they ARE the light, the life, the air
undeterred by forbidding mountains
unconsumed by the hells of oppression.
This is Light, Life and Air
that can be taken to the gallows
but will not be forced into submission.
Dreams are Words,
Dreams are Light,
Socrates,
Mansoor.*
[*A famous Islamic mystic, Mansoor Al-Hallaj, a Persian/Iranian Sufi master (858-922 AD). Once, coming out of his trance and meditation, he declared, in Arabic, “un-al Haq” (“I am the Truth,” that is, God), thinking himself as one with the rest of the creation and the God. This was considered heresy by Islamic officials and followers, because they believed no one else but God is the truth. For this, Mansoor was hanged. Before his death, he said (paraphrasing), “Now stands nothing between Truth and me.” This historical event inspired many Sufi writers/poets, and is turned into an oft-used metaphor for speaking the truth, uninhibitedly; and for bold thoughts on the Creator-creation relationship. The metaphor and reference to this incidence are found in Sufi, Persian, and Urdu poetry.]
----
[Khaab murthay nahin
Khaab dil hain na aankhain, na saansaein kay jo
rayza-rayza hoo-way tho bikhar ja-engay
jism ki mauth say yey bhi mur jaengay.
Khaab murthay nahin
Khaab tho raush-ni hain, navaa hain, havaa hain
jo kaalay pahaa-rawn say rukh-thay nahin
zulm kay do-zukhawn say bhi phuk-they nahin
raush-ni aur nava aur hava ke aalum
maqh-thal-awn main pa-huncj kar bhi jhukh-thay nahin
Khaab tho harf hain
Khaab tho noor hain
Khaab tho Sukhraath hain
Khaab Mansoor hain]
2. Perhaps it’d be agony… ('Run'jish he sahee')
Perhaps it’d be agony but
do come over
if only
to torture my heart,
to abandon me again.
Maybe we aren't on good terms
but do come over
if only
to keep up an appearance
for the world.
How many times can I tell people
why we aren’t together;
I know you’re upset with me
but do come over
if only
for the people to see.
Have some regard for my love,
come over sometime
if only
just to acknowledge that love.
For much too long I haven’t tasted
that aching desire,
do come over
if only
to make me cry again.
For some time, my delusional heart
had been looking for you,
do come over
if only
to snuff out the last candles.
----
[Run'jish he sahee dil he dukha-nay kay li-yey Aa
Aa phir se mujhay chhor kay jaanay kay li-yey Aa
Pahles say maraasim na sahee phir bhi kabhi tho
rasm-o-rah-- duniya he nibha-nay kay li-yey Aa
kis kis ko batha-engay juda-ee ka sabub hum
thu mujh say khafa hai tho zama-nay kay li-yey Aa
kuch tho meray pindar-e-muhab-buth ka bharam rakh
thu bhi tho kabhi mujh ko mana-nay kay li-yey Aa
ek umr say hoon luzzath-e-giriya say bhi meh-room
ai ra-huth-e-jaan mujh ko rula-nay kay li-yey Aa
ub tuk dil-e-khush-fa-hem ko tujh say hain um-meedain
yey Aa-khri shum main bhi bu-jhanay kay liye aa ]
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