Intimacy
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

I held the Sun, Stars and Moon at a distance
till the time your hands touched mine.
Now I am not a feather to be easily detached:
instruct the hurricanes and tornados to observe their limits!



The Mad Moon
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Stars have a habit of showing off,
but the mad moon sojourns in darkness.



Body Language
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Your body’s figures are written in cursive!
How will I read you? Hand me the book!



Insatiable

by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

This mighty ocean, so deep and vast!
If it sates my thirst, how long can it last?



Honor
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Achievements may fade but the name sounds strong;
walls may buckle but the roof stays on.
On a pile of corpses a child stands alone
and declares that his family still lives on!



Dust in the Wind
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

This is how I introduce myself to questioners:
Pick up a handful of dust, then blow...



Dissembler
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

In your eyes this, in your heart that, on your lips something else?
If this is how you are, speak to someone else!



Rumor (M)ill
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

I heard rumors my health was bad;
prying people made me ill.



The Vortex
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

I am the river whose rapids form a vortex;
You were wise to avoid my banks.



Homebound
by Rahat Indori
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

If people fear what they meet at every turn,
why do they ever leave the house?

Keywords/Tags: Rahat Indori, Urdu, translation, Bollywood, love, intimacy, stars, moon, ocean, sea, river, eyes, heart, lips, dust, family, mrburdu