This poem was published on February 20, 2008 in The Daily Kawish. Poetess is Shagufta Jabeen. I think it is a very beautiful poem. I have tried to translate it below the Sindhi text (next page), but my translation is a bit amateurish. Any correction or suggestions from our seasoned readers will be appreciated.
DistancesThe walking feet of time
are always in motion
The last sunset of December
which made a dazzlng show of colors
was nothing but an illusion
But
In the small interval of passing time
Our love, hate, separations
and closeness
and all references to my personal self are erased
In the journey from being very close to become a stranger
I am only left measuring distances
I am only left measuring distances
One of my good friends, Abrar Siddiqui who claims to know more Sindhi than me has sent following translation. Please take a look:
Running against the time
Like always
The last sunset of December
So dyed in infinite colors
Has become nothing but an illusion
But…
In this brief interlude of passing time
Our love, hatred, parting and greeting
And all that I am to myself
In a journey from consciousness to oblivion
Yet again…
Keeps on only scoping the differences
Mr. Latif Noorani, an avid reader of ATP has sent the following translation of the poem:
Tracing the footprints of time
Like always
Offering a scene
Of rainbow colours
The parting sun of December
Has become an illusion
But in that brief space of passing moments
Our affections, aversions, partings, meetings
And all references to our person
In the journey from familiar to unfamiliar
This year, too,
Scaled the distances alone
Scaled the distances alone…
Acknowledgements: Abrar Siddiqui, Zameer Soomro and Abdul Mujeer Qureshi
References: The Daily Kawish
Dear Owais,
Tons of kudos for posting Sindhi poetry. The translated versions are almost close to the original. Here is one more (a literal one). It would be great if other languages of Pakistan, too, are given a thread.Thanks anyway! The translation:
Tracing the footprints of time
Like always
Offering a scene
Of rainbow colours
The parting sun of December
Has become an illusion
But in that brief space of passing moments
Our affections, aversions, partings, meetings
And all references to our person
In the journey from familiar to unfamiliar
This year, too,
Scaled the distances alone
Scaled the distances alone…
Dear Owais,
Thanks for posting Sindhi Poetry. The translated versions are approximately close to the original. Here is one more, a literal translation. It would be great if all pakistani languges are given a thread. There is no dearth of beauty or sensitivity in any language. Thanks once again!
I enjoyed both versions. About 15 years ago I would not have needed a translation to this. Now I do - which is sad.
kia zalim cheez dhoondi hai bhai
Beautiful poetry.
It made me remember last sunset and first sunrise of this year. I am in USA for seven year and thinks where my life is going. What about my dreams in life. Will I be at standing at same position after 7 years?
Only thing I can count is number of years.
A translation of the poem sent by Abrar Siddiqui is added to the post.
Tab’an Khamosh, you are right, ‘vichora’ is more like ‘furaaq’ or ‘bicharna’.
What a beautiful and delicate poem! Can a Sindhi speaker please transliterate it? as I would like to know how it sounds (an mp3 of someone speaking it would be awesome) I have tried to look for a sindhi tutorial online but to no avail… maybe a kind ATP reader would point me in that direction?
Although I think viChoRaa is more in the sense of “FiraaQ” in Urdu and “Rabitah” (in my mind) is closer to the concept of “viSaal” etc.