Came the death to Babar
Kissed his forehead far in Delhi
Samarkand was in his eyes
Samarkand was on his lips
Samarkand was in his heart
But Babar was not in Samarkand
[author title=”Sudhir Saxena ” image=”https://sindhcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Sudhir-Saxena-India-Sindh-Courier.jpg”]Indian poet, writer and journalist Sudhir Saxena was born in 1954. He published number of books in India and abroad. His notable achievements include Pushkin Award, Vageshwari Award and many others. [/author]
The Lost Samarkand
Soaked in murk
Is the whole city
And, in reminisces of ancestors
Is lost Samarkand!
From here
Time and again, he crossed
Riding his horse
Making him fly
Holding the dream in eyes!
Aspiring to create history with his sword,
Babar crossed from here
He crossed Hindukush
Stars showered the blessings
On the golden robe that Babar wore
The earth kissed and pecked
On The Babar’s feet
Along with the arrows, swords, guns and caravan
One day Babar was gone
Exploding the gunpowder
Quaking the earth with explosions
Making the rings of gunpowder
Yearning to return to the country
Alas! Babar never returned
He didn’t return then after
With arms open
With aching heart
Awaited Samarkand
Came the death to Babar
Kissed his forehead far in Delhi
Samarkand was in his eyes
Samarkand was on his lips
Samarkand was in his heart
But Babar was not in Samarkand
***
Samarkand is far-off Delhi
How far?
I think
Bewitched by the discovery of Zero, Ibn e sienna
Sitting in the observatory
Dreams of Delhi far
Watches with
Sparkling, twinkling eyes
Yonder the foggy mist
Peeps out Samarkand
He babbles
Delhi is far from Samarkand
Samarkand is far-off Delhi
How far?
Thither is Babar
Let’s question Babar
Babar smiles
Didn’t utter any word
Down he looks at his feet
Swathe in mud and muffled
Doesn’t say anything yet
Shuffles his hand on the horseback
On the back of your horse
Shuffles hands with gusto in glee
Dithers the horse
He puts his feet in the stirrup
Laughs and roars
And says-
“Take care of Samarkand, here I go to Delhi”
For each Babar
There is no distance between Delhi and Samarkand.
________________
Translated by Prof. Fauzia Arshi
