By Mirza Ghalib
Translated by Ayesha Kaljuvee

aa ke meri jaan mein qaraar nahin hai
Come that my soul has no repose
taaqat-e-bedaad-e-intazaar nahin hai
Has no strength to bear the injustice of waiting

dete hain jannat hayaat-e-dahar ke badale
Heaven is given in return for the life of this world
nashshaa baa_andaazaa-e-khumaar nahin hai
But that high is not in proportion to this intoxication

giriyaa nikaale hai teri bazm se mujh ko
Such longing has come from your company
haaye! ki rone pe ikhtiyaar nahin hai
That there is no control over my tears

ham se abas hai gumaan-e-ranjish-e-khaatir
Suspecting torment, you are indifferent to me
khaak mein ushshaq ke gubaar nahin hai
So no love resides in these clouds of dust

dil se uthaa lutf-e-jalvaa haye ma_ani
From my heart has lifted the meaning of pleasure
gair-e-gul aaiinaa-e-bahaar nahin hai
Without blossoms, there is no spring in life

qatl kaa mere kiyaa hai ahad to baare
You have pledged to kill me at last
vaaye! agar ahad ustavaar nahin hai
But there is no determination in your promise

tu ne qasam maikashi ki khaai hai 'Ghalib'
You have sworn by the wine, Ghalib
teri qasam ka kuchh aitabaar nahin hai
There is no faith in your avowal