Naseer Ahmed Nasir

A Dream Fallen Out From Sleep

 

Beyond the dwelling of our sleep 
a dream burns; 
Somewhere tears glisten 
and a moon smoulders.

Beyond the dwelling of our sleep 
the sun rises;
Somewhere a dark beautiful night 
sleepwalks, and 
somewhere a clay lamp 
veils a disguise.

Beyond the dwelling of our sleep 
dazzling birds flutter, and 
the beastly slayers stalk 
somewhere in the memory’s jungle 
appear a desert and an oasis, and 
somewhere a glacial mass burns.

Beyond the dwelling of our sleep 
it rains; 
Eyes thirst in yearning, and 
Somewhere in the deep of the heart 
someone dies a dry death.

Beyond the dwelling of our sleep 
two flowers blossom; 
somewhere we meet every day, and 
the wounds are mended.

Outside the dwelling of our sleep 
there’s a lit-up parapet; 
a door is afire, 
somewhere hidden, and 
somewhere revealed; 
beyond the dwelling of our sleep 
A dream burns.

(Translated from the original Urdu into English by Bina Biswas)