Now and again the thought crosses my heart

That life may have brimmed with happiness

 If spent in the soft shadow of your tresses;                   
 The destiny of my existence…this darkness, 

May have melted in the bright rays of your eyes

It wouldn’t be strange if, estranged from this world,

I lost myself in the brilliance of your beauty,

Immersed myself in the exquisite romance 

Of your supple body and half closed eyes.

When the world’s bitterness called out to me,

I could drink the sweet nectar from your lips

When life shrieked and roamed bare-headed

I could hide in the shade of your thick tresses

But this did not happen and now my condition is this

Neither you, nor your grief, nor your craving remains,

Life trudges along in such a fashion as though

It has no desire for the support of any soul

I have embraced entire humanity’s sorrows

I make my way through unfamiliar paths

Advancing towards me are frightening shadows

From the scary thorny jungles of life and death

No pathway, no purpose, no sign of radiance

My life drifts aimlessly in the barrenness

I shall be lost some day in this nothingness

I’m aware of this, my love, but nevertheless,

Now and again the thought crosses my heart…..

 (Translated by Elizabeth Kurian ‘Mona’)

Sahir Ludhianvi’s ” Kabhi kabhi ..” Translated by Elizabeth Kurian “Mona’