Diya JalaiN: Light the Lamp

Diya JalaiN

diya jalaiN, chiraghaaN karaiN
khatay puranay tamam bund kardaiN
bhoola hu’a woh sabaq dosti ka
phir yad karaiN hum, maraiN na maaraiN
nafrataiN hee kuch aaj say ghata daiN

shayad abhi woh waq’t aaya nahi
kay woh zaat jo malik hay hum sub ki
sunaydilouN

ki jumaray dhaRRkanaiN
a’mun, chain, khushiyaan phail ja’aiN her soo’
shayad woh waq’t dosto khood hee humaiN
lana paRRay ga

sarhad kay paar ik sha’er ki suno
ik sadaa roshan
ummeed ka, mohabbat ka, dosti ka
diya woh pyar say jala aye’ga!
kyuN na hum milkar
haath maiN haath dalaiN, nazraiN mila kar
na’aye shub-o-roz, na’aye ujalay
dilouN say, diyouN say roshan karaiN

Light the Lamp

let the light pierce through the darkness
close all old accounts, turn a new leaf
re-learn that old lesson of friendship
kill nor be killed, settle for lessening
amidst us of this fossilized hatred

perhaps that time has not come yet when our
gods would listen to the beats in our hearts
peace and happiness spread their glow
perhaps we would have to force Mother Time?

across the border this poet will light
a lamp of hope, love, friendship, justice
who’s afraid of (a) little more happiness
little less hatred?
in diversity is hope: in hope, light
let’s light that lamp and nurse its flickers
till a sun of peace overwhelms us all
and the darkness of suspicion recedes