I'll go live somewhere

[swatkat]

I was in the mood for some Ghalib.


I'll go live somewhere

*

I'll go live somewhere
where there will be
no one
to talk to
no one
to speak my language
no one.

I'll build a house
with no walls, no doors
for neighbor
no one
for watchman
no one.

If I fall ill
then to nurse me
no one
If I die
then to mourn me
no one.

(translated by Frances W. Pritchett)

The Urdu ghazal is haunting in its simplicity: Rahiye ab aisi jaga chal kar jahan koi na ho/ hum sukhan koi na ho aur hum zabaan koi na ho. And, of course, the last line:
aur agar mar jaiye to nauha khuaan koi na ho. (Incidentally, this is also one of Suraiya's last recorded ghazals.)

Comments

[dhobikikutti]

I am very much enjoying these poetry spams, and I appreciate your also providing the original for those of us who don't need the translations!

[swatkat]

I love poetryspamming! Here's the rest of it.