Ghazal-08

The one I was searching for on the earth and in heaven Appeared residing in the recesses of my own heart

When the reality of the self became evident to my eyes The house appeared among residents of my own heart

If it were somewhat familiar with taste of rubbing foreheads The stone of Ka’ba’s threshold would have joined the foreheads

O Majnun! Have you ever glanced at yourself That like Layla you are also sitting in the litter

The months of the union continue flying like moments But the moments of separation linger for months!

O seaman, how will you protect me from being drowned As those destined to drowning get drowned in the boats also

The one who concealed His Beauty from Kalim Allah The same Beloved is manifest among beloveds

The breath of Lovers can light up the extinguished candle O God! What is kept concealed in the breast of the Lovers?

Serve the fakirs if you have the longing for Love This pearl is not available in the treasures of kings

Do not ask of these Devotees, if you have faith, you should look at them They have the illuminated palm up their sleeves

The insightful eye for whose spectacle is tantalized That elegance of congregation is in these very recluses

Burn the produce of your heart with some such spark That the Last Day’s sun may also be among your gleaners

For Love search for some heart which would become mortified This is the wine which is not kept in delicate wine glasses

Someone became highly excited at your grace of Ma’arafna Your rank remained among the most elegant of all the Lovers

Manifest Thyself and show them Thy Beauty some time Talks have continued among the sagacious since long time

Silent, O Heart! Crying in the full assembly is not good Decorum is the most important etiquette among the ways of Love

It is not possible for me to deem my critics bad Because Iqbal, I am myself among my critics