Over and Over That Sad Strain: Ghazal
Over and over that sad strain of rain that drums at my window pane,
And, these blinding tears flow in vain, Alas, I’m reminded of you again
The moon like a porcelain saucer, hangs
And the branches of that bare tree rip it apart, like my heart.
Those pieces, I wish I could collect, surrender myself to Time
In today’s inky sky, will I find no grace, in response to my cries?
Are these the shades, chromes of deceit and lies?
Over and over that sad strain of rain that drums at my window pane,
And , these blinding tears flow in vain, Alas I’m reminded of you again!
Today, desolate are the streets, or is it my melancholy?
Do thoughts create landscapes? I ask them, then,
I beseech, I plead, with my fists clammed into each other,
Ah listen to, my silent prayer, oh soulful rain!
Let my beloved return, or I shall beg again?
Over and over that sad strain of rain that drums at my window pane,
And now, these blinding tears flow in vain. Alas I’m reminded of you again!
These leaves flutter, softly, like the bells on your anklets
Do I hear a tinkle? Ah my heart, despair not!
Surely that is her stepping into my embrace.
And these branches are strumming a nocturne
In answer to lovers’ impassioned plea.
Over and over that sad strain of rain that drums at my window pane,
And now, these blinding tears flow in vain, Alas, I’m reminded of you again!
This night threatens to stretch into eternity,
Unfulfilled remain my yearnings, unanswered are my pleas?
Hark dearest! Instead see how the wind replies
Hark, the sky weeps, all of us in unison ask you to yield won’t you?
Listen,my beloved, to a dying lover’s lament!
Over and over that strain of rain that drums at my window pane,
And now, these blinding tears flow in vain. Alas,I’m reminded of you again!
Will I receive no reply from the Almighty?
He who fills the supplicant’s lap with luxury,
Will he not listen to my urge, remain deaf to my pleas?
Were he to give me a glimpse of you, my soul would be at peace.
But who’s to grant a dying paramours’ whim and fancy?
Ah that strain of rain that drums at my window pane,
And now, Batool, remember, these blinding tears dry in vain. Your eyes shut, you’ll never fall in love again!
Mumtaz Khorakiwala
8-7-2022
