Gulon mein rang bhare baad-e-naubahaar chale Chale bhi aao ke gulshan ka kaarobaar chale Qafas udaas hai yaaro saba se kuchh to kaho Kahin to bahr-e-Khuda aaj zikr-e-yaar chale Kabhi to subah tere kunj-e-lab se ho aaghaz Kabhi to shab sar-e-kaakul se mushakbaar chale Bara hai dard ka rishta yeh dil gharib sahi Tumhare naam pe aaenge ghamgusaar chale Jo hum pe guzri so guzri magar shab-e-hijraan Hamaare ashk teri aaqbat sanwaar chale Maqaam Faiz koi raah mein jancha hi nahin Jo ku-e-yaar se nikle to su-e-daar chale The empty birdcage Translated by Mustansir Dalvi Like the new breeze of spring That grants blossoms their hue, Come forth love, grant the garden Leave to go about its business. This birdcage is forlorn. Call upon the gentle wind, friends To petition the Lord, if it will, To speak of my beloved. Let the dawn, for once, arrive Through the archway of your lips. Let the dusk spread its perfume Like musk from your tresses. This impoverished heart Is privileged to suffer And, hearing your name, To swell, leaving comfort behind. What is done is done But, sundering night, Know that your passing Is adorned with our tears. So insatiable is my vehemence To be in your presence, my love, I bunch up my shirt in a knot And rip its collar to shreds. No destination along the way Has any appeal for Faiz, A step away from his beloved's street Is a giant leap to the gallows pole.