Parveen Shakir Translated
By Dr. Riz Rahim
Chicago, IL


1. In some way, we are all Dr. Faustus [Hum soub ek therha say Dr, Faustus hain]

In some way, we are all Dr. Faustus,
some in fascination,

others, blackmailed into

selling their soul.

Some pawn their eyes,

and begin trading their dreams,

others feel obliged to

sell their mind.



All we want to know is

the currency of the time.

Life’s ‘Wall Street’ tells us that

among those with power to buy

what’s most popular these days

is their own respect.



[Translated from Urdu by Riz Rahim]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



(Urdu original: Parveen Shakir)



Hum soub ek therha say

Dr. Faustus hain.

Koi upnay shawq kay kha-thir

Aur koi upni mujboori say black-mail ho ker

Upni roh ka sauda ker laytha hai

Koi sirf aankhain rahen rukh-wa ker

Khaw-bawn ki thijaruth shoroo ker daytha hai

Kisi ko saara zahen he girohi rukh-wana pertha hai

Bus daykh-na yeh hai

Kay sikh-kahai raa-ej ul-waqth kiya hai

So zindagi ki Wall Street ka ek jaa-eza yeh keh-tha hai

Kay aaj-kul khoo-wuth-e- kha-reed rukh-nay waal-awn main

Izzath-e-nufs bahuth maq-bool hai !

Parveen Shakir (original Urdu)



2. Slowly, from place to place [kuu-ba-kuu phail ga_ii; Parveen Shakir],



Slowly, from place to place

spreads the rumor of our love;

he made me known

the way fragrance spreads.

How can I say he left me,



which, though true,

is still a matter of

chagrin to me.



No matter where he goes,



he always comes back to me,

and this is the best thing

about my wayward lover.



May he always be happy, vibrant



like his heart,

and may he never suffer

a calamitous night of separation.



When he put his consoling hand



on my feverish forehead,

my very soul felt



a Messianic relief.

[Translated from Urdu by Riz Rahim]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

kuu-ba-kuu phail ga_ii

baat shanaasaa_ii kii

us ne Khushbuu kii tarah

merii paziiraa_ii kii

kaise kah duu.N ki

mujhe chhor diyaa hai us ne

baat to sach hai

magar baat hai rusvaa_ii kii

vo kahii.n bhii gayaa, lauTa

to mere paas aayaa

bas yahii baat hai achchhii

mere harajaa_ii ki

tere dil kii tarah aabaad rahe

tujh pe guzare na qayaamat

shab-e-tanhaa_ii kii

us ne jalatii hu_ii peshaanii pe

jo haath rakhaa

ruuh tak aa ga_ii

taasiir masiihaa_ii kii

[Urdu original; Parveen Shakir]