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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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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Excerpts from "Cordoba"
by Allama Iqbal
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

I

Linker of day and night,
Creator of events,
Foundation of life and death,
Two-toned silken thread,
Weaver of possibilities,
Suggester of future prospects ...

Linker of day and night,
sitting in judgment over...

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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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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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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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Withered Roses
by Allama Iqbal
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

How can my words describe you,
desire of the nightingale's heart?
The gentle morning breeze was your nativity,
the aromatic afternoon garden, a tray of perfumes.

My tears welled up like...

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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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(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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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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Part 2/2

Kawaali or Kawali  ( A form of Singing very popular in India and Pakistan )
 ( More details on my first Blog )

SAMPLE OF A KAWAALI - ONE CAN HEAR ON U TUBE...

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 An unceasing explorer of the woods of birch and maple until this moment,
   I wish to weave my dreams of soothing repose in this moment.

 Every day has painted a tangled image...

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Kawaali or Kawali  ( A form of Singing very popular in India and Pakistan )

SAMPLE OF A KAWAALI - ONE CAN HEAR ON U TUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNYwneo08xQ&p=12E509C60B2AAEC7&playnext=1&index=70



I Can Hear your Voice In My Heart ...

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Bright Rose
by Allama Iqbal
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

You cannot loosen the heart's knot;
perhaps you have no heart,
no share in the chaos

of this garden, where I yearn (for what?)
but harvest no roses.
Of what use to...

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Some persons wanted Him to be killed
Others planned to tie Him up or to expel
Plans of polytheists of Ka’bah, He was revealed
He moved to Medina, with a mission to propel

Besiegers followed Him, to track
Tracking led...

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Oh! Black Americans,  
Africa is your motherland 
And most Africans love you 
Not because you are called African Americans 
And lost your African mother tongues
And cultures. 
Being called Americans while speaking 
African dialects , suit...

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Posed such, in its formidable array
would guess that all protection in refer
not deem my soul respectively, relay
but from some archway's character of serve!

That guard of my esteem, not turning gray
is from some inner peace, not...

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Wind roams around bare footed
Her loose grey hair weaving every minute

A waning gibbous moon raising, at 11 in the East 
For the beings with Heart, it is indeed a feast. 

Incomplete, strained yet mesmerizing 
It's...

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Translations of Urdu couplets and poems by Momin Khan Momin

Perhaps
by Momin Khan Momin
loose translation by Michael R. Burch
 
The cohesiveness between us, you may remember, or perhaps not.
Our solemn oaths of faithfulness, you may remember,...

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I picture Kashmir through lightened KL. I see Kashmir through deserted eyes.
I am writing an elegy. While my Kashmir burns.
My blood has contents of a coward. 
What results my thoughts will forward.
Tears have dried. Heart...

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                               AMBER DAWNS APPEAL
 
...

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