Short poems by Mulla Fazul

Translated from Balochi by Fazal Baloch

Mulla Fazul (died around 1858) is considered one of the greatest poets of classical period. He is credited to have assigned new dimensions to classical Balochi poetry in terms of themes and diction. He also wielded equal command in Arabic and Persian languages which is evident in his poetry. The following poems have been taken from the anthology called, Drapshokin Sohail¹, compiled and edited by Faqeer Shad.

MY BELOVED



Like the moon of the fourteenth night,

My beloved’s face glows bright.

She is the lightning on rainclouds,

Above the mountains that does strike,

Or a pomegranate 

That ripens in weeks

Its blooming buds. 

How desperately my ailing heart seeks!





WORLD



She seduces and ensnares a stranger

And her husband she cheats on and betrays.

The world is an unfaithful woman,

Each day she flirts in a new way.





HATRED TOWARDS BRETHREN



If a man harbours

Hatred towards his brother,

Off his sanity and wisdom will go.

The comforts of his abode

Away the scorching wind will blow

And soon the foemen

Subdue him with the sword.





DISUNITY


In disunity, what will you gain, after all?

The sun has gone past the horizons. 

Night has descended on the world.

It’s dark wherever I cast a glance.

.

1. Translation from Balochi: A Shining Star in Ursa Minor ↩︎

Fazal Baloch is a Balochi writer and translator. He has translated many Balochi poems and short stories into English. His translations have been featured in Pakistani Literature published by Pakistan Academy of Letters and in the form of books and anthologies.

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