In Pushto by Rahim Khan Majrooh
Translation by Aadil Omer
The events of the last connection
of our relation were so sudden,
so ephemeral that I couldn’t sense it.
I can’t remember what we talked about last
except the words that you uttered,
‘I leave you to the protection of God,
‘You leave me to the protection of God.’
In a state of shock, I couldn’t believe
our parting even when a lot of days lapsed.
‘Nay! It cannot happen!’ I said
‘Our ways can’t be separated!’I thought.
Then the time withdrew its hand
of generosity from that of mine.
Then the fate separated its hand
of companionship form that of mine.
Then the universe of light and color
turned dull and dour.
Then the pines of the florid land
of my thoughts caught fire.
Then, the houris of the paradise
of my dreams turned to freaky vampires
of the streets of lonesomeness.
Then, a peculiar scene formed my backdrop.
As though someone drew the ground
from under my feet; I was hung in the air
like a pi-pal tree, grown within a wall.
From thereon, love,
neither smile visited my lips
nor sleep stayed in my eyes.
True, I’m alive but just like a corpse;
Like the pieces of a widow’s bangles
shattered in pain.