Windows
Windows open vistas for us
Windows - of hearts, of minds or of eyes
Windows - which might open outward
Or inward
They bring the light on the other end to this end.
Windows converse
They open the alphabetical locks of our lips
When night weaves nets of darkness on windows
Life-spans speak out in whispers from abysses of pain
Windows then perforce remain silent
Suffer days of tongue-tied laws
Nights of oppression
And epochs of tyranny
Windows are self same stories of dreams
Of centuries
Mute testimony of chasms
Court yards and ruined houses
Evidence of rusted eons rattling with exhaustion
in tyrant time's primordium continuity
Windows have the heart of a woman
They open their body's wings of each clime
With a little waft of wind
With fragrance, sunlight, rain or moon beams.
They blow away paper-light images
And waste away life in uncharted desires.
When butterflies fly in front of windows
Eyes glued to window panes become tearful
With noontide memories.
Evenings look forward to a wayfarer passing by
When they're covered with climbers
holding forth red and white flowers
They fill closed fists with the touch of fire-flies.
Windows often insist on being kept open
They're surprised to watch cloud, birds
And the blue sky's expanse
If they're kept shut
They're afraid of the life breath of
Walls and rooms getting strangulated.
They're afraid of dwellers forsaking their houses
They also feel life's desertion
They also feel despondent
Windows are human beings!
(Translated from the original Urdu into English by Satyapal Anand)
very nice poem translated with lots of feelings and depth.
Without windows we could not see whats going on outside and the poem gives all the possible paths we can take in our minds for.....Windows are human beings! A pleasure to read regards
Of all the poems you have written this one I think is my favorite, so packed with imagery, I want to keep it close at hand to read and re-read it. Bookmarked of course, it has a dream-like aura, as if it were written in some altered state , it communes with another reality and this one, giving us a window into a metaphysical landscape. Thank you for sharing, Naseer.
I love how this poem builds up to the conclusion 'Windows are human beings'.A very symbolical poem full of lines capivating a reader with its special magical spell that only your poems have. Dreamy yet so life- and love-piercing.Thanks for sharing, Naseer.
So masterfully crafted. Having windows as the first line in all but one stanza flings the windows open to dream and to fly with our dreams. This beautiful poem needs to be read again and again so savour all the rich imagery...
Windows offer the possibility of fresh air to travel inside our minds and souls...the possibility of light to enlighten our thinking and the possibility of views unknown ! Lovely poem Nasir.
So many sacred windows are here opened wide with your wisdom and brilliance.Great work in one word.
Very unique and thought provoking and very persistent in carrying out its central metaphor. It made me think that windows are really transparent walls that can open and become doors. They are ours to open and shut if we dare.
Windows give us space, they allow us to view our world, we can breathe in fresh air, so windows give us life. A carefully constructed poem filled with beauty.
very nice and meaningful poem thanks for sharing.