sham ke pech-o-kham sitaron se
zina zina utar rahi hai raat

yun saba pas se guzarti hai
jaise kah di kisi ne pyar ki baat

sehn-e-zindan ke be-watan ashjar
sar-nigun mahw hain banane mein

daman-e-asman pe naqsh-o-nigar
shana-e-baam par damakta hai

mehrban chandni ka dast-e-jamil
khak mein ghul gai hai aab-e-nujum

nur mein ghul gaya hai arsh ka nil
sabz goshon mein nil-gun sae

lahlahate hain jis tarah dil mein
mauj-e-dard-e-firaq-e-yar aae

dil se paiham khayal kahta hai
itni shirin hai zindagi is pal

zulm ka zahr gholne wale
kaamran ho sakenge aaj na kal

jalwa-gah-e-visal ki shamen
wo bujha bhi chuke agar to kya

chand ko gul karen to hum jaanen
a prison nightfall


the night descends

step by silent step
down the stairway of stars.

the breeze goes by me
like a kindly whispered phrase.

the homeless trees of the prison yard
are absorbed making patterns

against the sky.


on the roof’s high crest
the loving hand of moonlight rest.

the starry river is drowned in dust
and the sky glows silver with moonlight.

in the dark foliage
shadows play with the wind

as a wave of painful loss
invades the heart.


defiantly, a thought tells me

how sweet life is at this instant:
those who brew the poison of cruelty

will not win, tomorrow or today.
they can put out the lamps

where lovers meet
they cannot blind the moon!