Dasht-e-Tanhai (The Desert of my Solitude) by Faiz Ahmed FaizTranslated from the Urdu and read by Mara Ahmed Sound Design by Darien Lamen Photograph by Rabah Al Shammary...Dasht-e-tanhai main ai jaan-e-jahaan larzaan haiTeri aavaaz kay saaey, teray honton kay saraab

Dasht-e-tanhai main dooree kay khas-o-khaak talayKhil rahay hain teray pehloo kay saman or gulaab

Uth rahee hai kaheen qurbat say teri saans kee aanchApnee khushboo main sulagti hooee madham madham

Door ufaq paar chamaktee hooee qatra qatraGir rahee hai teri dildaar nazar kee shabnam

Is qadar payaar say ai jaan-e-jahaan rakha haiDil kay rukhsaar pay is waqt teri yaad nain haath

Yoon gumaan hota hai gerchay hai abhee subh-e-firaaqDhal gaya hijr ka din aa bhi gaee wasl ki raat.

…In the desert of my solitude, my love, quiverthe shadows of your voice,the mirage of your lips

In the desert of my solitude,from the arid dust of our parting,bloom the jasmine, the roses of your touch

From somewhere nearbyrises the warmth of your breathit smolders in its own perfume – gently, languorously

Far away, on the horizon, glistensdrop by drop,the dew of your beguiling glance

With such tenderness, my love,your memory has placed its handon the contours of my heart

Even though this is the dawn of our farewell,it feels like the sun has set on our separationand the night of our union is at hand