Western Whispers: 30 Urdu Poems, European Style

Jangal ki khaamoshi, nadi ka bahaao,
Fitrat ki god mein, dil ko sukoon aao.
The forest’s silence, the river’s flow,
In nature’s lap, let the heart find peace. (Nature/Romanticism)

Tanha khada hoon, saahil-e-samandar pe,
Sochta hoon kya hai, us paar manzar pe.
I stand alone on the seashore,
Wondering what lies on the scene beyond. (Solitude/Existential)

Baarish ki boondein, sheeshe pe girein,
Yaadein puraani, dil mein utrein.
Raindrops fall on the windowpane,
Old memories descend into the heart. (Melancholy/Atmospheric)

Phoolon ka khilna, titli ka udna,
Zindagi ka naghma, fitrat ka parhna.
The blooming of flowers, the butterfly’s flight,
Life’s song, reading nature’s script. (Joy in Nature)

Sheher ki raunaq, dil ko na bhaaye,
Rooh meri jangal, ko hi toh chaahe.
The city’s bustle does not please the heart,
My soul desires only the forest. (Escape/Romanticism)

Puraane qil’e ki, boseeda deewaarein,
Kahaaniyaan sunaati, guzri hui bahaarein.
The old castle’s worn-out walls,
Narrate tales of bygone springs. (Historical/Nostalgic)

Khizaan ke patte, hawa mein udte jaayein,
Waqt ka pahiya, yun hi ghoomta jaaye.
Autumn leaves fly in the wind,
The wheel of time keeps turning thus. (Transience)

Samandar ki lehrein, shor machaati hain,
Dil ki gehraai, raaz chhupaati hain.
The ocean waves create a clamor,
The heart’s depth hides secrets. (Nature’s Power/Inner World)

Ik ajnabi sheher, main hoon akela,
Koi nahin mera, na koi hum-jhela. (Saathi: companion)
A strange city, I am alone,
No one is mine, nor any companion. (Alienation)

Raat ka andhera, sitaaron ki chamak,
Kaainaat ka husn, dil ko de jhalak.
The darkness of night, the sparkle of stars,
The universe’s beauty gives a glimpse to the heart. (Cosmic Wonder)

Pahaadon ki khaamoshi, waadiyon ka sukoot,
Fitrat ki azmat, dil mein hai mabhoot.
The silence of mountains, the stillness of valleys,
Nature’s grandeur leaves the heart spellbound. (Awe of Nature)

Parindon ki parwaaz, aazaadi ka nishaan,
Dil bhi chaahe udna, chhor yeh jahaan.
The flight of birds, a sign of freedom,
The heart also desires to fly, leaving this world. (Desire for Freedom)

Udaas shaamein, December ki sardi,
Yaadein teri laayein, dil mein be-dardi.
Melancholy evenings, December’s cold,
Your memories bring ruthlessness (pain) to the heart. (Seasonal Melancholy)

Zindagi ik sawaal, jawaab ki talaash,
Bhatakta phire insaan, liye dil mein kharaash.
Life a question, in search of an answer,
Man wanders, carrying a scratch (wound) in his heart. (Existential Quest)

Kabhi hansta hoon khud par, kabhi rota hoon,
Apni hi zaat mein, aksar khota hoon.
Sometimes I laugh at myself, sometimes I weep,
I often get lost in my own being. (Introspection)

Woh pehli mohabbat, woh maasoom zamaana,
Ab yaad ban kar, dil ko sataaye zamaana.
That first love, that innocent era,
Now as a memory, it torments the heart. (Nostalgia for Lost Love)

Khwaabon ki duniya mein, rehta hoon main gum,
Haqeeqat ki talkhi, deti hai mujhe gham.
I remain lost in the world of dreams,
The bitterness of reality gives me sorrow. (Escapism)

Waqt ka dariya, behta hi jaaye ga,
Jo lamha guzra, woh laut na aaye ga.
The river of time will keep flowing,
The moment that passed will not return. (Passage of Time)

Ik puraani dhun, koi geet adhoora,
Yaadon ka kaarwaan, dil mein hai poora.
An old melody, some incomplete song,
The caravan of memories is complete in the heart. (Lingering Memories)

Khaamosh nazaare, gehri hain baatein,
Dil ki veeraani mein, kat’ti hain raatein.
Silent scenes, deep are the talks,
Nights are spent in the desolation of the heart. (Inner Turmoil)

Sooraj doobe toh, udaasi chhaaye,
Raat ki aamad, ummeed jagaaye. (Nayi subah ki: of a new morning)
When the sun sets, sadness spreads,
The arrival of night awakens hope (for a new morning). (Hope in Darkness)

Gardish-e-ayyaam se, kya shikwa karein,
Har haal mein jeena, yahi toh hunar hai.
What complaint can be made of the revolution of days?
To live in every situation, this indeed is the skill. (Resilience)

Lafzon ka khel hai, shaayari bhi kya,
Ehsaas ko baandhe, dhaage mein piya.
Poetry too is a game of words,
Binding emotions in a thread, beloved. (Nature of Poetry)

Tanhaai mein aksar, khud se hoon kalaam,
Kaun hoon main aakhir, kya hai mera naam.
Often in solitude, I converse with myself,
Who am I ultimately, what is my name? (Search for Identity)

Dil ki zameen par, yaadon ki faslein,
Kabhi hansaayein yeh, kabhi aankhein nam hain.
On the land of the heart, crops of memories,
Sometimes they make one laugh, sometimes eyes are moist. (Bittersweet Memories)

Jangal mein gumshuda, ik raahrau hoon main,
Manzil ki talaash mein, khud se door hoon.
A lost traveler in the forest, I am,
In search of the destination, I am far from myself. (Lost Path)

Khizaan ki hawa mein, udaasi ka raag,
Toote hue patton ki, dil mein hai aag.
In the autumn wind, a melody of sadness,
There is a fire in the heart of broken leaves. (Autumnal Sorrow)

Puraani sharaab jaisi, teri yaadein,
Jitna piyoon un ko, aur barhein faryaadein.
Your memories are like old wine,
The more I drink them, the more laments increase. (Intoxicating Memories)

Maut ka khauf nahin, zindagi ka malaal,
Jee na sake khul kar, yahi hai sawaal.
No fear of death, but regret for life,
Couldn’t live openly, this is the question. (Life’s Regrets)

Ik khaamosh dua, lab pe hai thehri,
Kaash yeh duniya, kuch toh sunehri. (Behtar ho: become better)
A silent prayer rests on the lips,
I wish this world were somewhat golden (better). (Hope for a Better World)