Iqbaliyaat...

This week, for the second time, we shall be reading some timeless verses by none other than Dr. Muhammad Iqbal. The intrinsic poetic worth of Iqbal's poetry is such that it always leaves you enchanted by opening before you a whole new world of ideas and thoughts. The verses are powerful enough to help you envision a reality that runs far deeper below the surface of what is apparently real. In short, I believe, that Iqbal's poetry is all about having a vision - a vision to view life in an extremely positive and profound manner...

It is recommended that you read the following verses at least thrice and see if you are actually transported into a completely different domain of ideas...

- N.A.

"...Apnay mann mein doob kar paa jaa suraagh-e-zindagi

Tuu agar mera nahi banta na bann, apna tu bann!

Mann ki duniya? Mann ki duniya soz-o-masti, jazb-o-shauq

Tann ki duniya? Tann ki duniya sood-o-sauda, makr-o-funn

Mann ki daulat haath aati hai tu phir jaati nahi

Tann ki daulat chhaaon hai, aata hai dhan, jata hai dhan..."

"...Delve into your soul and there seek out life's buried tracks;

 Will you not be mine? Then be not mine, be your own right!

World of soul - the world of fire and ecstasy and longing:

World of sense - the world of gain that fraud and cunning blight;

Treasure of the soul once won is never lost again:

Treasured gold, a shadow - wealth soon comes and soon takes flight."

(Translated by V.G. Kiernan)

Prism

By Muhammad Awais Aftab

A translation of Parveen Shakir's poem 'Prism'

When sun enters

Into a drop of water

A collage of colours appears

The seven arches of rainbow

Spread out their arms

And draw into the tiny droplet

A whole cosmos of colours!

I, too, have a sun

That by a mere graze of body

Cultivates in me the rainbow flowers

A slight change in his angle

And I am rendered

A simple drop of water

Unscenic, uncoloured!

Tears

By Wardah Farhat

Misery creeps through my body causing pain,

Whispering that I can never gain

My goal...

My aim!

Melancholy finds a way inside,

Looks around and tries to reside

In me...

Deep inside!

Terror, Disappointment, Emptiness and Fear,

Pierce my soul, causes it to tear,

Outcome of this pain;

Ends in tears!

Can't Bring Me Down

By Sana Khan

For you can never win this smile,

You'd have known if the truth be told,

Lost warriors of your dreams can't fight,

Once again and hold my soul,

Against the mighty armour of sleep,

You can never hold my dreams,

I am what I am

And what I want to be,

You can't bring me down,

You can never change me.

My Fears

By Waqas Naeem

I am afraid of light

It would burn my eyes

I am used to living in darkness.

I am afraid of freedom

It would kill me in an unknown world

I was born to be enslaved.

I am afraid of justice

It would acquit me of guilt

I am used to being imprisoned.

I am afraid of my rights

The leisure would harm me

I have grown up to a life of torture.

I am afraid of love

It would take my heart away

I am used to mundane cruelties.

A Wish...

By Asma Javed

Dreams shatter, eyes shower rain

Lips pressed tight, thoughts utter pain

I try so much, all efforts in vain

Still I want to be Me again!

Silly Me...

By Tehreem Mahmood

Valentine's Day came and passed,

And I was not a part of it,

Silly me...

Did you not see the media promotion?

More colourful than Independence Celebrations!

Yet, I was not a part of it,

Silly me...

Christmas celebrations never started this early,

Perhaps Saint Valentine has become more worthy,

No, I was not a part of it,

Silly me...

People already know for whom is my affection

Out of a year, merely a day for confession!

Oh, and I was not a part of it,

Silly me!

True Realities

By Leena Rehman

I closed my eyes

From the truth

I turned my face

From the path of goodness

I stopped my hands

From doing kind deeds

Retreated my feet

From the road to religion

I went straying

For a life of joy

I committed theft

To my own self

I ran for timely happiness

That actually was my escape

From the true realities!

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