“The Traveller Who Lost His Way “- Translation and reimagining of Meeraji’s Poem.

Meeraji (1912 -1949) is one of the most obscure Urdu poets. His work is unique as he incorporated symbolism and synasthea into Urdu poetry. His real name was Sanaullah Dar and he chose his pen name to be after his unrequited love, who was referred to as “Meera Ji”. He lived a Dionysian life engaging in excess which unfortunately caught upto him as he died at the age of 37.

Needless to say he’s one of my favorite poets of all time, and reading him is truly an experience. Here is some additional information about him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meeraji

© A.R. Minhas 2016

The Traveller Who Lost His Way

City by City the traveller lost his way home

What is yours? What is mine? What is for rent?

It is lost 

What did he lose? Why did he lose it? Why are you asking

 There was no reason, he’s just lost

There were strange days, strange nights and even stranger conversations

Even the child’s dream of love was forgotten

A shy light peeked from the darkness

A dimming shadow replaces a forgotten face

Walking in his lost memories and shards of glass puncturing his heart.

He also forgot to exchange his sorrow for joys.

One entrancing look, One moment of sublime conversation and our breaths are entangled like a thread.

A stare of pure light erased and that moment is lost forever.

Let’s not talk about this anymore, the mystic is a vagrant lover.

Let the waves crash into him and soon he will forget the ocean.

(c) A.R. Minhas 2020

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