Hum Ke Tehre Ajnabi by Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Faiz Ahmad Faiz

English Translation by L K Atheeq

Hum ke tehrey ajnabi itni madaraatoon ke baad 

phir banain gain aashnaa kitni mulaqatoon ke baad
 

Kab nazar main aaey ge baidagh sabzey ki bahar 

Khoon ke dhabbey dhulain ge kitni barsaatoon ke baad
 

dil to chaaha par shikasht-e-dil nay muhlat he na di 

kuch giley shikvey bhi kar laitey manajaatoon ke baad
 

thay buhat bai_dard lamhey Khatm-e-dard-e-ishq ke 

theen buhat bai_mehar subhain meherbaan raatoon ke baad
 

un se jo kehney gaey thai "faiz" jaan sadqa kiye 

unkahee he reh gai voh baat sab baatoon ke baad

 *********

Strangers we remain, past several hospitable exchanges,

How many interactions does it take to be friends?

When can we witness the spring of spotless green?

How many rains does it take to wash the bloodstains?

I had the will but the failed heart betrayed the time

Complaints and grievances now follow prayers and entreaties
 

Heartless were the moments that followed the end of love's pain

Unkind were the mornings that followed benevolent nights

 

Faiz, upon your life, you had gone to convey

Unspoken remained your words after all you had to say

 

 

You can listen to Ustad Moin Khan sing this ghazal on youtube. This Ghazal of Faiza is interspersed with a Bangla poem of Khazi Nazrul Islam sung by Shorju Bhattacharya


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_90dhHsllM

Alternatively you could enjoy listening to the magnificient Nayyar Noor as she renders this Ghazal of Faiz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB7aZ8RYTD4

This Ghazal is apparently romantic but has deep political meanings. I hate to be the spoiler, but we must keep in mind the fact that Faiz wrote this after returning from a trip to Dhaka