We Ought to Have Met: Unrequited, Untimely Love in Parveen Shakir’s Verse

Born in post-independence Bihar, Parveen Shakir grew to be a tradition defying poet—one who did not shy away from expressing her emotions and feelings as a young woman. Many who write about her mention that she was arguably the first female poet to use the word larki (girl) in her work, changing the discourse from a traditionally male speech register and syntax in Urdu poetry.

Shakir was read widely by women across the subcontinent who resonated with her, hearing for once their own experiences in verse. In a twist of fate, she died an untimely death, of which legend says she was forewarned by a palmist.

Parveen Shakir’s poetry is not lofty or imbued with overtly political themes. Her expression is relatable and there is great beauty in her metaphors of the mundane. Many of her verses ponder on the simpler emotions and feelings in our day to day life. As a poet who wrote primarily romantic poetry, her oeuvre is described well in this couplet:

chalne ka haulsa nahi rukna muhaal kar diya

ishq ke iss safar ne toh mujhko nidhaal kar diya

//

No strength left to walk, stopping is impossible

The journey of love has left me lifeless.

(Translation by Rana Safvi)

She primarily wrote ghazals and free verse poems, one of each, we have picked here for you to read. In both, she gives voice to dreams of romance and expresses the pain of unrequited, untimely love.

ku-ba-ku phail gai baat shanasai ki 

us ne ḳhushbu ki tarah meri pazirai ki

kaise keh duun ki mujhe chhod diya hai us ne

baat to sach hai magar baat hai rusvai ki 

vo kahin bhi gaya lauta toh mere paas aaya

bas ye baat hai achchhi mere harjai ki

tera pahlu tere dil ki tarah abaad rahe

tujh pe guzre na qayamat shab-e-tanhai ki

us ne jalti hui peshani pe jab haath rakha

ruuh tak aa gai tasir masihai ki

ab bhi barsat ki raton men badan tuut ta hai

jaag uthi hain ajab khwahishein angdaai ki

//

The news of our affinity has spread to every door

He welcomed me like fragrance which he did adore

How can I say that I have been deserted by my beau

Its true but this will cause me to be shamed for evermore

Each time he deserted me, came back to me once more

I like this very aspect of my faithless paramour

Just as your heart is full of love, be dear ones by your side

May pain of long and lonely nights be never in your store

When he gently placed his hand upon my burning brow

It was as though the saviour’s touch had infused my core

Till even now in rainy climes, my limbs are aching, sore

The yearn to stretch out languidly then comes to the fore

(Translation by Rekhta)

Hamein Chahiye Tha Milna

yeh haseen shaam apni

abhi jis mein ghul rahi hai,

teri pairahan ki khushbu

abhi jis mein khil rahe hain

mere khwab ke shagoofey

zara dair ka hai manzar

zara dair me ufaq pe

khilega koi sitara

teri simt dekh kar wo

karega koi ishara

tere dil ko aayega phir

kisi yaad ka bulawa

koi qissa-e-judaai

koi kaar-e-na-mukammal

koi khwaab-e-naashagufta

koi baat kehne wali

kisi aur aadmi se

hamein chahiye tha milna

kisi ehd-e-meherbaan mein

kisi khwab ke yaqeen mein

kisi aur aasmaan par

kisi aur sarzameen mein

hamein chahiye tha milna

//

We Ought to Have Met

A melting twilight,

the world in its entirety dissolves.

The scent of you,

the blossoming

populations of dreams.

All dissolves.. … a vision deferred.

In a while,

a star shall emerge on the horizon,

to gaze at you,

replete with meaning,

[And] your heart shall then reminisce,

there shall be an echo of a memory,

the tale of a separation,

of an unfinished moment,

of dreams unborn,

thoughts unsaid.

We ought to have met,

in another time,

in pursuit of attainable dreams,

below a different sky,

upon a different earth,

We ought to have met then, there.

(Translation by Raza Rumi)

You can listen to this poem here

And a find a live recitation of her poetry here