On My Return from Dacca (1974)
Translated from the Urdu of Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz by Poorvi Vora
Also appeared in To Topos Poetry International, PACIFICA: PEACE & the SEA, Vol. 5, pg. 50, 2003.
Translator's note: This poem was written after the Pakistan-Bangladesh war of 1971 which ended in the partition of Pakistan into Pakistan and Bangladesh.
So much politeness, yet we remain strangers;
how many meetings till we are again lovers?
How long before we see a spring of unsullied green?
How many rains before the blood stains wash away?
Heartless were the moments ending the pain of our love,
Lightless were the mornings following life-giving nights.
I longed to beg forgiveness, even complain as lovers do,
but my heart's crushing defeat gave me no respite.
What I had gone to say, Faiz, risking all -
remained unsaid when all else was done.
The translator would like to thank Ajit Sanzgiri for his contributions.
Copyright © 2003 Poorvi Vora