Sur Sarang (Rain Song) Rain Song سر سارنگ Shah jo Risalo in English (Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Poetry) by Elsa Kazi

Shah jo Risalo in English  (Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Poetry)  by Elsa Kazi

Sarang (Rain Song) Rain Song سر سارنگ

Sarang XI

(Rain Song)

Chapter-I

1

Warm preparations are again

in progress everywhere;

Again the lightning's have begun

to leap with arduous flare;

Some towards Istanbul do dive,

some to the West repair;

Some over China glitter, some

of Samerquand take care;

Some wander to Byazantium, Kabul,

some to Kandhar fare;

Some lie on Delhi, Deccan, some

reach Girnar, thundering there

And greens on Bikanir pour those

that jump from Jesalmare

Some Bhuj have soaked, others descent

on Dhat with gentle air...

Those crossing Umerkote have made

the fields fertile and fair...

O God, may ever you on Sindh

bestow abundance rare;

Beloved! all the world let share

thy grace, and fruitful be.

Chapter-II

2

O see, the low' ring, somber skies!

the cumulous clouds have poured

Their big-dropped showers; now take out

your herds, prepare, and rise;

Leave lower grounds, to uplands go

and practise old device,

Take your provisions and supplies...

despair not of God's grace.

3

Today too from the northern side

the rain-quails notes reach here;

The ploughers ploughshares ready make,

herdsmen are full of cheer...

Today too nature doth appear

in rich array of rain!

4

Today too there are hopes of rain,

the clouds are dark and lowO friends, with monsoons, longing for

the loved one comes againI hope the rain will water well

the parched and longing plain...

Beloved come! my life sustain,

all seasons then feel spring.

5

Man, deer and buffaloes do pant

for rain, ducks hopes for clouds;

After as though in supplication

sounds the rain-quail's chant;

At sea, each morn the oysters beg

that skies the rain may grantGive lots of rain! with joy rampant

the herdsmen then become.

6

The rain pours on the desert-sands

on hills and vales around;

At early dawn we, rise to hear,

the churns soft, humming soundThe hands are full of butter, wives

with merriment aboundEach buffalo for milking brought

athwart the grassy ground;

In thatches here we never found

mistress and mind so glad!

7

The cloud, with colours rich and bright

paints towers in the skiesIt brought the violins, zitherns, flutes,

tambors that give delight...

While jar on jar rain-sprite at night

pours into Padam lake...

8

Season's orchestra's in full swing,

fresh showers ease the mind;

On mountain-side so green with grass;

cattle abundance find;

Gay herdsmen's wives about their necks

of blossoms garlands wind;-

Cucumbers, mushrooms, vegetables

food of every kind;

Lord! days of dearth let lie behind,

ne'er let them reach the earth.-

9

Season's orchestra's in full swing,

rain-quails pipe tenderly;

Peasants repair their ploughs, herdsmen

rejoice with ecstasyMy friend in perfect from...O see

predicts a downpour great!

10

Season's orchestra's in full swing,

clouds move up, near and far;

The grain is cheap, and brimful now

of butter is each jarRust that my heedless heart did mar,

this God-reminder cleansed.

11

Cloud was commanded: 'Rain must come',

and cloud obeyed so fainLightning arrived, rain pattered, poured,

came to remain and reign;

The hoarder who for dearness hoped

now wrings his hands in vain,

Five multiplied to fifteen; so

the page has turned again,

The profiteer may disappear

and cause no longer pain...

The kine-herds sit together now,

relating tales of rainO God, who happiness would gain,

must on thy grace rely!

Chapter-III

12

O, rain, were lessons you to take

from my poor, pouring eyes,

Then night and day, in cloudy guise

your drizzle would not stop!

13

Mists do not leave mine eyes, if clouds

are there or not, mists stay;

Remembering Loved one, o'er my cheeks

my tears flow night and day...

Oh, those whose loves are far away

may never cease to weep.

14

Though inside all is overcast,

outside from every cloud is free...

Lightning's mature within, in whom

Love doth reside eternally...

Their eyes shall never rainless be

in whom thought of 'Beloved' reigns.