Urdu poetry: Faiz Ahmed Faiz

http://www.urdupoetry.com/poetlist.html

raat yuuN dil meN terii khoyii hu’ii yaad aayii
jaise viiraane meN chupke se bahaar aa jaaye
jaise sehraaoN meN hauley se chale baad-e-nasiim
jaise biimaar ko be-vajh qaraar aa jaaye

by Faiz Ahmed Faiz

At night my lost memory of you returned

and I was like the empty field where springtime,
without being noticed, is bringing flowers;

I was like the desert over which
the breeze moves gently, with great care;

I was like the dying patient
who, for no reason, smiles.

Tanslation by Sarvat Rahman, from 100 Poems by Faiz Ahmed Faiz:

Last night, your long-lost memory came back to me as though
Spring stealthily should come to a forsaken wilderness
A gentle breeze its fragrance over burning deserts blow
Or, all at once be soothed somehow the sick soul’s distress.

Translation by Vikram Seth, from Mappings:

Last night your faded memory came to me
As in the wilderness spring comes quietly,
As, slowly, in the desert, moves the breeze,
As, to a sick man, without cause, comes peace.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/daf3tyITjPs&hl=en]

badan ke donoN kinaaroN se jal rahaa huuN maiN
ke chhuu rahaa huuN tujhe, aur pighal rahaa huuN maiN

tujhii pe Khatm hai jaanaaN mire zavaal kii raat
tuu ab tulu bhii ho jaa, ke Dhal rahaa huuN maiN

(zavaal : nadir; tulu : appearing)

bulaa rahaa hai miraa jaamaa-zeb milne ko
to aaj pairahan-e-jaaN badal rahaa huuN maiN

(jaamaa-zeb : ?; pairahan-e-jaaN : clothes of the soul)

Ghubaar-e-rahguzar kaa ye hauslaa bhii to dekh
havaa-e-taazaa! tire saath chal rahaa huuN maiN

(Ghubaar-e-rahguzar : dust of the path; havaa-e-taazaa : fresh breeze)

maiN Khvaab dekh rahaa huuN ke vo pukaartaa hai,
aur apne jism se baahar nikal rahaa huuN maiN