Woh Baath nahi Rahee

 Woh baath nahee rahee,

Joh Thi,

Woh baath nahee rahee

Joh thi,

Joh tumnah sochah woh nah thah

Wo baath nahee rahee

Joh thi,

Kuch ko gayah hu meh

Kuch bulah gayah hu meh

Ku nah tu milee

Kuch bhool gayah hu meh

Kuch fanah huwah hu mah

Ek pooljadee

Wo baath nahee rahee 

Joh thi

Wo baath nahee rahee

Joh thi

Joh palee thi aur aaj nahi rahee

Wo baath nahee rahee

Joh thi

Kyah huwah kyah nahi,

Kuch pathaa nahee ho

Kal kayah tha aur aaj kyah hai

Jaab hum nahi huweh dildaar.

Trans. 

It's not like it once was

It's not like it once was

What you thought was not true

It's not like it once was

I am a little lost

Some things I have forgotten

Why did we not meet,

I do no remember

I have lost myself

Like a rose that fades

It's not like it once was

What once was and today is not

It's not like it once was

What happened, what was

Nothing we can know

What was yesterday and what was today,

When we were not lovers. 

Dil

More urdu poetry from our Poetry corner 

Dil

Dil ku nah hotah hai manzoor

Nah koi ghalti aur kasoor

pir bhi ho naraaz

Dil ku nah hotah hai manzoor

Pass bhi rah pir bhi door

Jasseh chiragh meh ho ek noor

Dil ku nah hotah hai manzoor

Dil ku nah hotah hai manzoor

Kuch nah boleh kuch bath nah mantha

Sothah jaggtah, kamptah

kaabi nah sach boltah

Dil ku nah hotah hai manzoor. 

Trans. The Heart

Heart, why are you not true

When I have done no harm or guilt,

but you are always upset with me.

Heart, why are you not true

When you are close it still feels far

Like a light in a lamp

Heart why are you not true

Heart, why are you not true

You don't speak and nor accept me 

Sleeping waking shaking

Never speak the truth

Heart why are you not true

Pyar khi Yaad

 Pyar ki Yaad

Pyar khi Yaad

Ku nah rathi mereh paas,

Aur hum pyar keh jadoo meh ho gumrah, 

Pyar khi yaadh

Ku nah rathah mereh paas

Aur ku nah ho tu mereh saath

Nah koi ho or koi baath

Pyar khi yaadh

jaseh ho ek baraat

Aur pyar kareh to mereh saath,

Yeh hah meri pyar khi yaadh.

Trans. 

Love's memory

Why are you not close?

Why are we not lost in love?

loves' memory.

Why are you not close to me?

And why are you not at my side.

There is no one.

Love's memory,

Like a wedding party

Who love's only me,

This is my love's memory. 

Hate among the Coronavirus

 

Hate among the Coronavirus

 

We should not resent the old, elderly or infirm due to the coronavirus. I felt ashamed today, when I looked out an older couple and felt inveigled. As someone who recently had Covid 19, I felt some hostility towards anyone who might look sick or old since they could make me more sick. This is the wrong way of thinking. We really should be more open-minded. In short, we are all in it together and we should all look at each other like brothers since it is the only to overcome the crisis.

We should not rebuke anyone who may be sick or elderly since it affects everyone. We should be more caring and concerned for the poor and elderly, the homeless, and transient who may be prone to the coronavirus and show them remorse and pity. We should not let our fears cloud our better judgment and know that all people deserve the same care and empathy during this time.

It would be like condemning all Jews who may have survived the Holocaust as people who are disposed to such a tragedy and that all people who are slightly compromised to be viewed as lesser beings or less human. This is a travesty. We need to change our thinking and be bigger people who can think beyond the current crisis to have better values and be more humane and not let the epidemic define us but rise above and have better values and

We need to look at all people equally and not let ourselves be pulled into irrational thinking by a prolonged epidemic that can weight heavy on our minds. As we are reading more and more, how violence is affecting our lives and affecting people who are being chastised or condemned due to this epidemic, we should correct ourselves and be more accepting. It is a moment in history that is defining us and who we are and we can lot let it get the better of us. We need to face down this period and come out better by showing more humanity and civility.

It’s something that we have to face together and it is a test of the heart and mind that cannot beat us. We must overcome our fears and inhibitions and let not let ourselves be pulled into the mire of hate and contempt because it is suitable or convenient to chastise the sick or elderly for the sake of a moment’s reprieve. We need to stick it out and stick together to overcome this epidemic together that will define us for years to come and show the kind of people that we really can be when facing the most trying times.

AJ Naseem is a blogger and activist. He writes on topics related to health, politics and government.