Jaun Elia has been called the “poet of pain.” Enjoy his couplets translated by Michael R. Burch....
POETS FOREVER
Syed Sibt-e-Asghar Naqvi (1931-2002), more commonly known as Jaun Elia, was a poet, philosopher, biographer, and scholar. Jaun Elia has been called the “poet of pain.” Enjoy his couplets translated by Michael R. Burch.
I am strange—so strange
that I self-destructed and don’t regret it.
***
The wound is deep—companions, friends—embrace me!
What, did you not even bother to stay?
***
My nature is so strange
that today I felt relieved when you didn’t arrive.
By Fatima Ahmed
Pick me up
I have fallen
Deep into sorrow
They tell me not to panic
But it hurts and pains
To inhale the air
There is a hole
In the core of my heart
I want you, my dear
To pull me out of this menace
Come and save me
From this agony
Hold me tight,
Tell me it will be all right
Tell me I am worth it
Worth all the trouble
Seeking what I ought to
My tears are not in vain
Let me feel your touch
For it reminds me of us
The time it was all okay
Before the bruises and cuts
Return to me,
My sweet haven
Until it is too late
By Jamshaid Haider Malik
And now I’m feeling down
My head missing its crown
In my heart, an unfamiliar pound
Like a solo rhythm surrounds
And as the aching surmounts
I will be caught in the bounds
Got to find a new tangent
’Cause life got too round
But I’m starting to feel flaky
Seems its finally grown on me
I am part of a paper town
By Shehzeen Anwer
I am standing still, all alone in the dark,
Wind howling, dark clouds hovering,
The crackling sound of thunder chills me to the bone,
And I am puzzled which way to go, which path to choose,
By which I can escape this dreadful storm.
Wandering around by myself,
No foe or companion to accompany me through this path,
Alas! I take a deep breath, muster my courage, and start walking on this unknown journey,
Don’t know where it will take me, but I had to choose,
This is my chance; this is my gamble, my rolling dice.
Now that I have settled for the course, for my destiny,
It turns out I am still walking incessantly, for I wonder,
How many miles to go before I sleep!
Compiled by SK
