Slivers of a Mirror

For nearly three centuries the Urdu ghazal has been beloved of connoisseurs and laymen alike. Its hypnotic rhythmic qualities, its exquisite interweaving of human and divine love, its joy in the good things of life as well as its mystic austerity, and, finally, its irresistible wit, have made it a popular form of poetry whether recited at formal gatherings, spontaneously quoted or only read to oneself. This translation attempts to capture the best qualities of the ghazal in a contemporary voice.