I am maddened by the <br />Death-knock. <br />In a frenzy I run, <br />for the many chores to be done... <br />From the stillness of mountains and lakes <br />to hear ancient songs, <br />to unravel mysteries of tales from the past, <br />of trees to enquire after <br />the business of growth, <br />to watch the ever-changing <br />shapes of clouds, <br />through sweet-voiced, goodly birds <br />seek the source of divine fruits, <br />touch flowers of a blushing creeper, <br />make conversation <br />with doorways and walls. <br />So many visitors still wait; <br />a long list of unseen vistas <br />beheld in the eyes, pounds <br />in the veins, <br />exploding them any moment, <br />but I am busy, <br />in a flurry to carry out the chores... <br />The ocean calls, <br />islands and coastlines <br />for aeons have longed for me. <br />They haunt me, the fishermen <br />singing songs as they return <br />to their abodes; <br />some day I'll pay them a visit... <br />Enchanting lands <br />restively wait <br />to reveal their many treasures; <br />paths are not unknown to me, <br />in the old wooden trunk, lie safe <br />the maps; <br />I can also discern the melody of gods, <br />but I am busy... <br />So much to be done for the children. <br />Books and notebooks, <br />school uniforms, new bags, <br />toys, bats and rackets <br />and so much more that is <br />yet unsaid, <br />will make them happy <br />if I buy for them, <br />but I am busy, <br />have to see through so many chores... <br />Faster now, blood rushes <br />through the veins; <br />life is possessed by the frenzy of Death. <br />Busy I am, <br />hurriedly scribbling poem after poem, <br />maddened by the Death-knock. <br /> <br />(Translated from the original Urdu into English by Yasmeen Hameed)<br /><br />Naseer Ahmed Nasir<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/whirling-death/
