Faiz: Bol (Speak)

Translated from Urdu by Hersh

Speak!

for your lips are still free.

Speak!

for the tongue is still yours.

That virile body that is yours:

Speak!

for life is still yours.

See!

in the blacksmith’s shop,

fierce the flames, red the anvil.

The forge: its hungry jaws widening

the chains: its lap, inviting.

Speak!

for this short time is enough

before body & tongue’s demise.

Speak!

for truth is still alive.

Speak!

whatever you want to say… speak it!