pashtana🕯️

“چې شو نزدې زه او سپرلې د ارمان

وخت مو تر مينځه لکه غر اودرېده

When the blossom of my yearning neared

time stood still like a mountain between us

All those undertakings of the past — who knows how many there were?

Last night the east wind came to my small building again.

In the bright moonlight, I couldn’t bear to look back toward my homeland.

The inlaid ramparts and jade stairs should still be there.

It’s only the beautiful faces that have changed.

I ask you, how much sorrow is possible?

Just as much as a river full of spring water flowing east.

People aren’t homes, they never will be. People are rivers, always changing, always flowing. They will disappear with everything you put inside of them

زه به جپل یاد کم، او ته به ما پریږدی په نا پوهی کښی چه ته يی زما ژوند

One day you will ask me which is more important? My life or yours?

I will say mine and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life.

بدل پریږده، د دوی تر ټولو لویه سزا دا ده چې هغوی څوک دي.

چه مې کول ستا سترګو ته کتا، خود به ګرځم لېونی پر دنیا زه

once I gazed into your eyes, it was inevitable for me to stumble upon the earth as though a madman.

زه ستا د زړهٔ کډوال ومه، خو ستا زړه زما کور نشو جور کیږدی.

I was the refugee of your heart, but your heart could never be my home.

- translated to Pashto.

“ته کوم کتاب وايئ؟”

“what book are you reading?”

“ستا سترګې”

“Your eyes.”

په تنهایی کښې هره پیغله هغۍ له ژاړي

“Her memory will be a flower tucked into literature’s turban.

In her loneliness, every sister cries for her.”

- Pashto

په تار د زلفو به کفن ورته ګنډمه

My beloved gave his life for our homeland

ځکه یاری دی ماتا خوند نه راکوینه

You are not a revolutionary my beloved,

That’s why your love doesn’t give me joy!

چی شینګیباغ کښې ګل ګلاب وشرموینه

I’ll make a tattoo out of my lovers blood

چې بویولو ته دی هره ورځ درځمه

May god make you into a flower upon a riverbed,

So I may smell you when I go to gather water