Parveen Shakir (Urdu: پروین شاکر) (November 24, 1952 – December 26, 1994) was a Pakistani Urdu poetess, teacher and a civil servant of the Government of Pakistan. Shakir started writing at an early age, initially under the pen name of ‘Beena,’ and published her first volume of poetry, Khushbu [Fragrance], to great acclaim, in 1976. She subsequently published other volumes of poetry – all well-received – including Inkaar [Refusal], Sad-barg [Marsh Marigold], Khud Kalami [Conversing with the Self] and Kaf-e-Aa’ina [The Edge of the Mirror], besides a collection of her newspaper columns, titled Gosha-e-Chashm [The Sight Corner]], and was awarded one of Pakistan’s highest honours, the Pride of Performance for her outstanding contribution to literature. (courtesy Wikipedia)
Hamaare Daramiyaa.N Aisaa Ko_ii Rishtaa Nahii.n Thaa
By Parveen Shakir
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
hamaare daramiyaa.N aisaa ko_ii rishtaa nahii.n thaa
our relations were not such
tere shaano.n pe ko_ii chhat nahii.n thii
no roof bore down on your shoulders
mere zimme ko_ii aa.Ngan nahii.n thaa
nor any yard depend on my care
ko_ii vaadaa terii zanjiir-e-paa banane nahii.n paayaa
no promise could restrain you
kisii iqaraar ne merii kalaa_ii ko nahii.n thaamaa
nor any love bind my wrist
havaa-e-dasht kii maanind
like desert wind
tuu aazaad thaa
you were free
raaste terii marzii ke tabe the
roads winding at your behest
mujhe bhii apanii tanhaa_ii pe
on my solitary life, i too
dekhaa jaaye to
upon reflection
puuraa tasarruf thaa
had full command
magar jab aaj tuu ne
yet today
raastaa badalaa
you changed your route
to kuchh aisaa lagaa mujh ko
and it felt
ke jaise tuu ne mujh se bevafaa_ii kii
as if you betrayed me
Image Courtesy the film Guru