Eyes are reluctant to light,
Their depth thousands surmise
They desire for a somber night
Assuming the day not for cries.
Rafia Bukhari, an English-language poetess and writer from Larkana, Sindh shares her poetry
Rafia Bukhari, an English-language poetess and writer from Larkana, was born on June 15, 1982, to the Syed family. Her two English poetry books, “The Painful Payment” (2021) and “A Flight of Broken Wings” (2023), have already been published. The renowned author Sikandar Ali Abbasi has translated her first book, “The Painful Payment,” into Sindhi. Despite the limited English readership in the region, her books have been well-received. Her poetry often draws inspiration from the natural world, particularly the setting sun. In addition, she has translated forty to fifty stories by the renowned author Muhammad Ali Pathan into English. Some of these translations have already been published, with more to follow soon. Currently, she is pursuing her M. Phil in English at Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, focusing on the English translations of Shah Abdul Bhittai’s Risalo.
Reluctant Eyes
Eyes are reluctant to light,
Their depth thousands surmise
They desire for a somber night
Assuming the day not for cries.
How satisfying is this
Living the Life Anonymous,
It is found in celestial bliss,
Poetry and pain synonymous.
As shadows increased,
The inner conflicts surged.
At the door, silence reached,
Then, self-discovery was urged.
Winter had reached its peak,
The evening was melancholic,
Accompanied by a loud shriek,
The rays resembled a dark symbolic.
***

Journey of Soul
Upon departure from this realm
Nothing matters the corporal frame,
There is only a game of name,
That only stands for worldly fame.
As soon as the soul is awakened,
Life will seem like a fitful slumber.
Ineffable bliss as if diamonds,
Emanation of the celestial cluster.
The destination seems far from sight,
Nonetheless, it’s not out of reach.
It may proceed day or a moonless night,
Whether through woods or a solitary beach.
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