jhuuTaa niklaa qaraar teraa
ab kisko hai aitbaar teraa
dil meN sau laakh chuTkiyaaN liiN
dekhaa bas ham ne pyaar teraa
dam naak meN aa rahaa thaa apne
thaa raat ye intizaar teraa
kar jabr jahaaN talak tuu chaahe
meraa kyaa, iKhtiyaar teraa
lipTuuN huuN gale se aap apne
samjhuuN huuN ki hai kinaar teraa
“Insha” se mat ruuTh mat Khafaa ho
hai bandaa jaanisaar teraa
Insha Allah Khan
English Translation by Shah Abdus Salam from “Urdu Poetry: An Anthology up to 19th Century”
Your word has been proved false, O dear !
Now who relies upon you?
It has pinched my heart a hundred hundred thousand times,
Now have not I seen your love? (Sarcastically)
My breath was getting suffocated in my nostrils
Last night, I kept waiting for you so restlessly.
You may torture me as much as you wish.
What power do I have (on you)?
(I) cling to my own bosom
Thinking it to be your embrace
Be not upset with “Insha” do not be angry (with me)
This humble self is your life-sacrificer