Aftab Husain
(Pakistan-Austria)
While Learning German
To learn a new language is
to enter a new continent
To learn a new language is
to revisit the alleys of childhood
To learn a new language is
to be born anew
The sound of each language
has a melody of its own
Learning a new language is
gathering melodies never heard before
Life itself is a melody
composed of a multitude of tunes
from recitals of the Holy Scriptures
to the whispering pleasantries of lovers
I love sounds
I love life
I love the people
who wander
from language to language
Stones
Now they are burying me
with flowers
though I was stoned to death
I was born among stones,
among stony walls
They wanted to make me
like themselves
And I wished
to bring them to life
That struggle has continued
to this very day
There were many of them
and I was simply alone
So they petrified me
But I managed to salvage
one thing within me
It still pulsates
and will continue to do so
even in my grave
It still grieves me to recall
how my mantra failed
to transform them completely
But I am pleased to see
I’ve changed them so much
that now they are burying me
with flowers!
Persistent Scene
It seems the scene
has been nailed
into my eyes
Wishing to see
I see nothing
but two nails
Or the scene
that has been nailed
into my eyes
Descending the Stairs
I walk with extra caution,
startle at the slightest sound,
hold fast to the railing
as I take each step
With a new unease
I descend the stairs
Descending to where?
To some dismal cell,
a mind-boggling maze?
Or another flight of steps
back up?
When I reach the top again,
will I be on the other side of the road?
I don’t know
Only this much I know:
I have to move on
The door behind me is closed
Death Calls Me
Death calls me
like a call-girl
Beckons me
Whistles to me
But I don’t heed her
don’t heed her
because to me
love is not a profane process
Death calls me
like an affectionate old man
Advises me
to shun the world
For the world to him is nothing
but Laho-lahb*
No!
I deem the world
to be more than just Laho-lahb
I count every breath
on the sacred rosary of life
Death chases me
like a pack of hounds
sniffing after my presence
I want to die
But not at the paws and claws of dogs
Dreaming,
conversing with the deep
Or with my love
while loving her!
* Qu’ran: sport, pastime
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BIO
Aftab Husain
Originally from Pakistan, Aftab Husain lives in Vienna and writes poetry in Urdu, Hindi and English. He has three books of poetry to his credit: in Urdu, Hindi and a bilingual edition (German/English) published in Lahore, Pakistan, New Delhi, India and Vienna, Austria respectively. His poems have been rendered, among others, into Italian, French, Arabic and Persian and were included in many anthologies.
Aftab Husain has translated German poets Paul Celen and Georg Trakl into Urdu. He teaches South Asian Literature & Culture at Vienna University, Austria.