Naalay Kashmeer.......

(KASHMIR)

My rose gardens fill with ecstasy

Bulbuls and poshinools;

Forlorn hearts find solace

In my meadows and waterfalls.

 

Sick men flock here from various lands,

And go back home in health;

But my own men, racked with hunger and disease,

Lie dying on my roads.

 

I was not what you see me now !

My many monuments of stone

Bear eloquent witness to the greatness

Of my glorious ancient heritage.

 

If you just scrape my soil,

Gaze steadily down with care,

Mixed with the dust, you will find

Many a garden that was once in bloom !

 

If only there were a just dispensation

To save me in my own home,

My jobless many wouldn't have to knock about

On dreary winter nights.

 

I wear myself out round the year,

But can never banish hunger,

With bankers. grocers, jewellers

Swallowing up whatever I earn.

 

I pray with all my heart

That the rich may always prosper;

In return, their fervent prayer

Is that I may never rise !

 

My naked poor labour hard,

And grow food for every one;

Never satisfied, the rich demand

Their slaving for them night and day.

 

But remember ! When these poor naked souls

Do stand up at last one day,

They will move from their present indigence

To inheritance of wealth.

 

They'll offer prayer and sacrifice

To reserve their seats in heaven,

For all resourceful men of faith believe

In the insurance of heaven !

 

I had to pay gold and silver

For just tea and snuff ! - 

What more proof that our markets

Are not there for public weal !

 

My leaders have been so busy,

Taken up with family feuds,

That, despite their best intentions,

They couldn't redress my wrongs.

 

The dark fortnight will end soon,

Light will flood the heavens,

Making my mountains and my caves

As visible as the moon.

 

If Mahjoor, compelled by love,

Lays bare some bitter truths,

The lovers of my beloved land

Should not take it to heart !

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