By Faiz Ahmed Faiz (Urdu)
Translated by Anonymous
Having lost both worlds in the game of love,
There goes a lonesome man, ending his night of grief.
Desolate lies the tavern, abandoned lies the cup,
With your departure, spring has taken leave.
Just a mere four-day leave given us to sin,
How generous, you see, our Lord is!
The world has pulled your memory from my mind,
More engaging than you are the cares of daily life.
Today, Faiz, unaware she chanced to give a smile,
O what a swell and surge within my powerless heart!
Pic attribution: Jon Sullivan – wikimedia
This translation was first published in Meghdutam.com (between 1999 to 2002)
