Long Urdu Poems

Near Sainthood
by Mirza Ghalib
translation by Kanu V. Prajapati and Michael R. Burch

On the subject of mystic philosophy, Ghalib,
your words might have seemed deeply profound
and we might have pronounced you a saint...
if only we hadn't found
you...

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Last Night 
by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
translation by Michael R. Burch

Last night, your memory stole into my heart
as spring sweeps uninvited through barren gardens
as morning breezes revive dormant deserts
as a patient suddenly feels better for no...

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Harold the Hugh Hefner wannabe carrot top...

spry buck analogous to energizing bunny 
jump/kickstarted procreation ruckus.

Home on the range 
cacophony quite absurd
PlayBoy Bunny herd
and felt ingratiatingly inured,
nevertheless colony or nest 
of doe eyed demoiselles 
stewed over...

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The Owl and the Crow


The hunter captured the owl
He brought her home to his castle
Inside a cell she was put
Away from the rain

The owl, never went hungry
The majestic avian had the greatest of comforts
Perched on...

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Harold the Hugh Hefner carrot top buck

Ruled his hare'm 
nsync with trumpeting Donald Duck,
(loud enough to arouse Daisy),
the former cartoon character,
a pensive searing black kind Roebuck
heir to a fortune hauling trash and rubbish,

whereby dust bunnies...

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This is my best story in 
my mother tongue urdu 
which I translated and 
tried my best to turn it 
into a poem in english 

Luqman who was a 
merchant wiseman and 
his son
bought themselves...

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I hail Thee
For the life you give me
I hail Thee
For the love you shower me
I hail Thee for the message you send me
I thank you
For the strength I need.
Each day
I am able and fit.
Robust in...

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These are English translations of Urdu poems by Faiz Ahmad Faiz. 



Speak!
by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Speak, while your lips are still free.
Speak, while your tongue remains yours.
Speak, while you’re still standing...

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ALLAMA IQBAL TRANSLATIONS INTO MODERN ENGLISH



Ehad-e-Tifli (“The Age of Infancy”)
by Allama Iqbal aka Muhammad Iqbal
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

The earth and the heavens remained unknown to me,
My mother's bosom was my only world.

Her embraces...

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I am strange—so strange
that I self-destructed and don't regret it.
—Jaun Elia, translation by Michael R. Burch

The wound is deep—companions, friends—embrace me!
What, did you not even bother to stay?
—Jaun Elia, translation by Michael R. Burch

My nature...

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These are English translations of Urdu poems by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, whose name is also frequently spelled Faiz Ahmad Faiz. 

Last Night
by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
translation by Michael R. Burch

Last night, your memory stole into my...

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The Eager Traveler
by Ahmad Faraz
translation by Michael R. Burch

Even in the torture chamber, I was the lucky one;
When each lottery was over, unaccountably I had won.

And even the mightiest rivers found accessible refuge in me;
Though...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

Urdu poems about life, passion, pain, night, sleep, thought, longing, laments, death & the heart.

I long to embrace her, Ghalib,
whose thought is the rose in its dress of petals.
—Mirza Ghalib, translation by...

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Apni Marzi se
by Nida Fazli Shayari
translated by Mandakini Bhattacherya and Michael R. Burch

This journey was not of my making;
As the winds blow, I’m blown along ...
Time and dust are my ancient companions;
Who knows where I’m...

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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...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

Urdu poems about speech, wine, Paradise, poets, poetry, words and grief. 

To hear my rose-bestrewing speech,
first place the flagon before me!
—Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Let someone too obedient for...

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ALLAMA IQBAL TRANSLATIONS INTO MODERN ENGLISH



Excerpt from Rumuz-e bikhudi (“The Mysteries of Selflessness”)
by Allama Iqbal aka Muhammad Iqbal
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Like a candle fending off the night,
I consumed myself, melting into tears.
I spent...

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Oh dear merciful Father of Heaven, our God,
Devotion brings faith, for knowledge we nod.
A little clay lamp in remote village gives light,
Street light shines in city, street looks so bright.
Night tells here light story,
From Gandam...

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A seven day event 
Based on African descent 
Culminating in giving gifts and a large feast
Based on African festivals ranging from the West to the Southeast. 
Within, you will discover the seven principles and seven...

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These are English translations of Urdu poems by Jaun Elia with themes of solitude, loneliness, alienation, love, life, death and loss.

When you come, you will find me lost,
for in my solitude there are dreams, nothing...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

Urdu poems about speech and to speak, the spoken word, thoughts, roses, life, secrets, joy, pain, vows, critics, the heart.

Hearing my speech, accomplished critics
enjoined me to accessibility,
but my thoughts are complex
and if...

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(Bang-e-Dra-114), Khitab Ba Jawanan-e-Islam.
These are Golden words by Dr Allama Iqbal.
Khatab Ba Jawanan-e-Islam
Address To The Muslim Youth.
https://youtu.be/AwSNPEDGIrw
Sir Muhammad Iqbal  (9 November 1877 – 21 April 1938), widely known as Dr Allama Iqbal, was a...

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What Happened to Them?
by Nasir Kazmi
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Those who came ashore, what happened to them?
Those who sailed away, what happened to them?

Those who were coming at dawn, when dawn never arrived ...
Those...

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Nakuja
Kwa wito, NINAENDELEA – I COME I PRAISE--

I come
To the calling
I stand at this gathering
I stand
At my calling
With lifted hands—praising
I praise to the All Father
My Father-God
I come to the calling
To the calling of my Lord
I...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

Urdu poems about life, death, Love, longing, hearts, being captive, strength, cruelty, temper, the sun, darkness, shadows and faith. 

I’m the captive of Love, the Huntress,
otherwise I’d have strength to flee.
—Mirza Ghalib,...

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