Whirling Death Poem by Naseer Ahmed Nasir
Whirling Death
I am maddened by the
Death-knock.
In a frenzy I run,
for the many chores to be done...
From the stillness of mountains and lakes
to hear ancient songs,
to unravel mysteries of tales from the past,
of trees to enquire after
the business of growth,
to watch the ever-changing
shapes of clouds,
through sweet-voiced, goodly birds
seek the source of divine fruits,
touch flowers of a blushing creeper,
make conversation
with doorways and walls.
So many visitors still wait;
a long list of unseen vistas
beheld in the eyes, pounds
in the veins,
exploding them any moment,
but I am busy,
in a flurry to carry out the chores...
The ocean calls,
islands and coastlines
for aeons have longed for me.
They haunt me, the fishermen
singing songs as they return
to their abodes;
some day I'll pay them a visit...
Enchanting lands
restively wait
to reveal their many treasures;
paths are not unknown to me,
in the old wooden trunk, lie safe
the maps;
I can also discern the melody of gods,
but I am busy...
So much to be done for the children.
Books and notebooks,
school uniforms, new bags,
toys, bats and rackets
and so much more that is
yet unsaid,
will make them happy
if I buy for them,
but I am busy,
have to see through so many chores...
Faster now, blood rushes
through the veins;
life is possessed by the frenzy of Death.
Busy I am,
hurriedly scribbling poem after poem,
maddened by the Death-knock.
(Translated from the original Urdu into English by Yasmeen Hameed)
After coming to ph and interacting with the many thoughts and insights gained from the poems I've read here, I've started feeling that Time is running out fast on me and I have to race to accomplish atleast a few worthwhile things in life. Life has risen to loftier heights from mere thinking of self always, I still indulge in writing about my desires & dreams. But, I've also learnt to (really) think of others pain. Thanks Naseer for being one of my motivating inspirations. this is a beautiful poems which reminds us of the paucity and preciousness of Time. Angel
I can relate to this because of personal things that have happened in my life..I feel this way often, like there is no time to accomplish the things I should be doing and time will run out on me too quickly...I felt the whirl and I am still dizzy...I loved it..very emotionally stirring!
I felt alot of emotion in this poem and i can really relate to the idea of death always present in your life
hmmmm i agree with this poem... quiet brilliant if you ask me.....
Anything that reaches an individual deep inside is a poem, well done, such depth...
Beautiful composition...Many things to be done before death.As Robert Frost' s poem reveals...We have miles and miles to go..Before we sleep. Thanks for sharing.
Spooky, poem was good, i have more poems posted, please read when you have time, please leave coment and vote, with thanks x
This is sensational! A very important message from a very talented writer 10/10
that's it 'scribbling poem after poem' while it still can. thank you very much for a terrific piece of work. john
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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12/5/2025 3:35:58 AM # 1.0.0
yes, death is an ever-present force that grows stronger as we grow older...and time, time is its partner in crime... real emotions here Naseer, not an easy write, brings to mind Dylan Thomas lines 'rage, rage against the dying of the light'