Chadur And Char-Diwari

Sire! What use is this black chadur to me? A thousand mercies, why do you reward me with this? I am not in mourning that I should wear this To flag my grief to the world I am not a disease that needs to be drowned in secret darkness I am not a sinner nor a criminal That I should stamp my forehead with its darkness If you will not consider me too impudent If you promise that you will spare my life I beg to submit in all humility O Master of men! In your highness' fragrant chambers lies a dead body Who knows how long it has been rotting? It seeks pity from you Sire, do be so kind Do not give me this black chadur With this black chadur cover the shroudless body lying in your chamber For the stench that emanates from this body Walks buffed and breathless in every alleyway Bangs her head on every doorframe Covering her nakedness Listen to her heart rending screams Which raise strange spectre That remain naked in spite of their chadur. Who are they ? You must know them ,Sire. Your highness must recognise them These are the hand - maidens The hostages who are halal for the night With the breath of morning they become homeless They are the slaves who are above The half-share of inheritance for your Highness's off-spring. These are the Bibis Who wait to fulfill their vows of marriage In turn, as they stand , row upon row They are the maidens, On whose heads , when your highness laid a hand of paternal affection, The blood of their innocent youth stained the whiteness of your beard with red In your fragrant chamber , tears of blood, life itself has shed Where this carcass has lain For long centuries, this body spectacle of the murder of humanity. Bring this show to an end now Sire, cover it up now Not I, but you need this chadur now. For my person is not merely a symbol of your lust: Across the highways of life , sparkles my intelligence If a bead of sweat sparkles on the earth's brow it is my diligence. These four walls , this chadur I wish upon the rotting carcass. In the open air, her sails flapping , races ahead my ship. I am the companion of the New Adam Who has earned my self-assured love. [Translated form Urdu by Rukhsana Ahmed]