Classic Poem

The lamp of which lights only in palaces,
That that gives happiness only to a few people,
That that flourishes under the shadow of considerations,

That constitution, that light-less dawn,

I don’t recognise, I don’t recognise.

I too, am not afraid of gallows,
I, too, am Mansûr, tell the enemies.
Why do you scare me with the walls of prison?

To the talk of intimidation, to the night of benightedness,
I don’t recognise, I don’t recognise.
You say, flowers are blooming on the plants,
You say, wine is available to the drinkers,
You say, wounds of hearts have started healing,

To this stark lie, to this robbing of minds,
I don’t recognise, I don’t recognise.
You have robbed our peacefulness for centuries,
Now we will not be prey of your charms.
How could I say, you are a soother?

You are not a soother, even if one says you so,
I don’t recognise, I don’t recognise.


(Translated from the Urdu by: Arjumand Ara)