Turning Forty By Kevin Griffith In Hindi/Urdu Translation Poem by Ravi Kopra

Chalis saal ka ab ho giya hoon maiN

kabhi kabhi aisa lagata hai muje
mere andar ek greh hai
jis pe cHoti moti laDaeeaN lagi rehti hain
laikn sub kisi kaam ki nahin hain.
Do baDay mulk - dimag aur dil -
ab samjhotay main aa gayr hain
is greh main agar koi raja tha
to uski kisi ko koi yaad nahin hai
saaray faislay ab ek committee karti hai
halaN ki puranay tanashah ki kuch tasweeraiN bach paDi hai -
kitna khoobsoorat vo lagta tha ghoDay pe baith hua
kitni chakili aankhaiN theen uski
saari duniya ko jeetnay main vo tyaar tha.

***
Turning Forty
BY KEVIN GRIFFITH

At times it's like there is a small planet
inside me. And on this planet,
there are many small wars, yet none
big enough to make a real difference.
The major countries—mind and heart—have
called a truce for now. If this planet had a ruler,
no one remembers him well. All
decisions are made by committee.
Yet there are a few pictures of the old dictator—
how youthful he looked on his big horse,
how bright his eyes.
He was ready to conquer the world.