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If There Are No Flowers by Firaq Gorakhpuri, translation by Noorul Hasan

If there are no flowers, I can flirt with nettles
In the heat 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