Tum Na Ao: If you do not come

Picture by Jafar Shameem

Tum na ao mere pass, koi badi Baath nahin,
Guzar Jayenge her pal,  intezar mein,

Tumhare pairon ki khanak jo Karti thi  mere Kano mein sargoshi,
Mujhe ehsas hoga, jab ghas per girte Patton ki awaz mere Kano ne suni,

Tumharhi badan ki kushbo ka jab jazba hoga,
Surkh gulab ki phaili Mehak mein doob Jaonga,

Woh jo Shirin aur surilee awaz mere Kano mein goonjti theen,
Chaman mein baithkar koel se sun loonga waheen,

Woh roshan Khush numa chehra, woh  muskarate  hue Honton ko,
Deedar karta Rohoonga chaudhvin ke chaand ka, jab woh zahir ho,

Woh lachche daar guftugu, wo khamoshi ke Lamhe tumhare jaane se pehle,
Raath ki taariqii mein, jheel ke kinare mujhe yaad aayenge,

Kiya hai quadrat ne hum Jaison ke liye kuch aisa nizam,
Uski her ek eejaad  mein haazir hai hum jaison ka entezam,

Tum na aao mere paas, rahega Afsos hurdum
Shayad khaliq ka irada hai, na mile hum tum.
Ilham

Picture by Jafar Shameem

Here is the English translation crafted to preserve its poetic essence and emotional depth:

If you do not come!

If you do not come to me, it is no great matter,
Every moment will slip by in waiting.

The sound of your footsteps used to whisper in my ears,
I will feel it when I hear the leaves falling on the grass.

When the fragrance of your body awakens in me,
I will lose myself in the scent of the red rose spreading around.

Your sweet and melodious voice resonated in my ears,
Sitting in the garden, I will listen to the cuckoo’s song.

Your bright and cheerful face, your smiling lips,
I will behold in the full moon when it appears.

Our engaging conversations, those silent moments before you left,
Will come to mind by the lake in the darkness of night.

Nature has created such a system for people like us,
In every one of its creations, there is provision for us.

If you do not come to me, there will always be regret,
Perhaps it is the Creator’s intention that we do not meet.

— Ilham

Explanation

This translation aims to capture the poem’s lyrical quality and emotional resonance. The poet reflects on the absence of a beloved, finding solace in nature’s echoes—such as the sound of leaves, the fragrance of roses, and the cuckoo’s song—while acknowledging an enduring sorrow and a sense of divine will. The name “Ilham” at the end, which could mean “inspiration” is the poet’s ie my signature.

Picture by Jafar Shameeem

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