The Holy Cow

Dal lake, Srinagar.

The truth

Bujh gayi aas, chhup gaya taara
Thartharata raha dhuan tanha.
Zindagi kya isi ko kehte hain?
Jism tanha hai, aur jaan tanha.
Jalti bujhti si roshni ke taley
Simta simta sa ek makaan tanha.
Raah dekha karega sadiyon tak,
Chhor jaayenge yeh jahaan tanha

All desires extinguished, the star withdrew
Just the smoke remained, quivering alone.
Is this what we refer to as life?
A body, its being and spirit alone.
Under a partial luminescence-flickering with uncertainty
Stands a timid little hut, alone.
It will wait a long time and then
I will leave this world behind, all alone.

(Poem: Meena Kumari

Translation: Holy Cow)

Tuesday 4 September 2007