Mirza Ghalib English Translations 6

MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Urdu poems about tyranny, the world, sky, sun, wind, night, faith, roses, creation & entropy. Tyranny adores those who adore the tyrant. —Mirza Ghalib, translation by Michael R. Burch Having adopted a mendicant’s rags, Ghalib, I’m amazed by the spectacle of generous people. —Mirza Ghalib, translation by Michael R. Burch I keep up awhile with each new jogger yet fail to find a guide. —Mirza Ghalib, translation by Michael R. Burch All creation moves toward entropy, the sun a flickering candle in the wind. —Mirza Ghalib, translation by Michael R. Burch Fidelity if it holds fast is the root of faith; if the Brahmin dies in the idol’s temple, bury him in the Ka’ba. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch If I hadn’t been held up by day, would I have slept as comfortably by night? Thankful for the theft, I bless the highwayman. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch How small, our world to the oppressed when a single ant’s egg is our entire sky. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch You didn’t press your lips to another’s in kiss? Save your breath, we also have tongues! —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Don’t fall for the illusion of existence, Asad, when our world’s one link in the chain of thought. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Even if I live a few more days, inside I’m resigned to someplace else. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch My opposite became granite when she saw my fluidity. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The rose unfurls as a means of taking leave; fly, nightingale, fly, for the days of spring have fled. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Aloofness veils friendship; when will you cease concealing you face from us? —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Where is there anyone not in need? Where is there anyone who can fill anyone’s need? —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The wealth of this world’s a lament, a handful of dust; the sky’s a dull gray egg, to me. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Why assume everyone would arrive at the same answer? Come, let’s tour Mount Tur together. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch