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sunne ko bhiiR hai sar-e-mahshar lagii hu’ii
tohmat tumhaare ishq kii hum par lagii hu’ii

(mahshar : day of judgment; tohmat : accusation)

rindon ke dam se aatish-e-mai ke baGhair bhii
hai maikade meN aag baraabar lagii hu’ii

(rind : one who is intoxicated; aatish : fire; mai : wine)

aabad kar ke shahr-e-KhaamoshaaN har ek suu
kis khoj meN hai teGh-e-sitamgar lagii hu’ii

(shahr-e-KhaamoshaaN : the silent city; teGh-e-sitamgar : sword of the oppressor)

jiite the yuuN to pahle bhii hum jaan pe khel kar
baazii hai ab ke jaan se baRh kar lagii hu’ii

aakhir ko aaj apne lahuu par hu’ii tamaam
baazi miyaan-e-qaatil-o-Khanjar lagii hu’ii

(miyaan-e-qaatil-o-Khanjar : between the killer and the dagger)

lao to qatl-naamaa meraa, maiN bhii dekh luuN
kis kis kii mohar hai sar-e-mahzar lagii hu’ii

(qatl-naamaa : execution order; mohar : seal; mahzar : scroll)

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

English Translation by Agha Shahid Ali from The Rebel’s Silhouette.

So Bring the Order for My Execution

The day of judgment is here.
A restless crowd has gathered all around the field.
This is the accusation: that I have loved you.

No wine is left in the taverns of this earth.
But those who swear by rapture,
this is their vigil.

they’ve made sure,
simply with a witnessing thirst,
that intoxication is not put out today.

In whose search is the swordsman now?
His blade red, he’s just come from the City of Silence,
its people exiled or fished to the last.

The suspense that lasts between killers and weapons
as they gamble who will die and whose turn is next?
That bet has now been placed on me.

So bring the order for my execution.
I must see with whose seals the margins are stamped,
recognize the signature on the scroll.

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