Poetry in Translation: Unveil Your Face!

After Mohammed Iqbal

Unveil your face
A star is witness

Stop flickering
Blaze

Illuminate
Be

How long will you beg like Moses on the mountain?
Fan the flame within you

Create a new Mecca with every speck of your embers
Rid yourself of idolatry

Observe the limits in this temple
Even if you want to boast

First create the confidence of Alexander
Then lust after the splendor of Darius

 

Translated from the Urdu by Rafiq Kathwari, guest poet at 3 Quarks Daily