If there are no flowers, I can flirt with nettles
In the heart of autumn, I can flirt with vanished blooms
I can flirt with the vanity of saints
Holding the whole galaxy in their embrace
The poet’s vision can scan anything
I can flirt with the entire gamut of despondent scenes
Taking everything in my stride
I can flirt with demure, hidden sparks
A loving look has moved beauty’s instruments to speech
I can flirt with the chords of this harp string
If the beloved’s goodwill is what life hinges upon
Then I can flirt with the axis of life
I can transform this simple ambience into a conundrum
I can flirt with the eerie suggestion of your eyes
The smile on your lips seems to suggest
That I can flirt with the victims of seductive eyes
Corpses can start breathing afresh
I can so flirt with moving, marching shrines
Fingers that failed to fondle your curls
Are fingers that can surely flirt with the stars
My grief, Firaq, rivals my gaiety
I can flirt with friends even in misery
Translated from the Urdu by Noorul Hasan