Kalam e Faiz

Hum parwarish-e-lauh-o-qalam karte rahenge
Jo dil pe guzarti hai raqam karte rahenge

We will continue to nurture the pen and ink,
Continue to write about the travails of the heart

Asbaab-e-gham-e-ishq baham karte rahenge
Viraani-e-dauraan pe karam karte rahenge

Continue to bear the cause of the anguish of love
Continue to be kind to these desolate times

Haan talkhi-e-ayyaam abhi aur barhe gi
Haan ahl-e-sitam mashq-e-sitam karte rahenge

I know the bitterness of time is yet to increase
I know tyrants will continue their acts of tyranny

Manzur yeh talkhi yeh sitam hum ko gawaara
Dam hai to madaawa-e-alam karte rahenge

We accept this bitterness, even this tyranny we will bear
But till our last breath we will not stop caring for this world

Maikhana salaamat hai to hum surkhi-e-mai se
Tazzain-e-dar-o-baam-e-haram karte rahenge

Till the tavern exists we will use the red wine
To paint the walls and terraces of our sanctuary

Baqi hai lahu dil mein to har ashk se paida
Rang-e-lab-o-rukhsar-e-sanam karte rahenge

Till there is blood in our hearts with each each tear
Will we colour the lips and cheeks of our beloved

Ek tarz-e-taghaaful hai so woh unko mubaarak
Ek arz-e-tamanna hai so hum karte rahenge

They are welcome to their attitude of callousness
We will continue to express that which our hearts desire

- Faiz Ahmed Faiz, translation by Dr. Taimur Rahman

The Laughing Heart

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

-- by Charles Bukowski