Speak and be afraid
-Translated by Ayesha Kidwai
Speak—and be afraid, Oh lord, why did I go and say that?
Be speechless—and be afraid they will ask why you are silent
Regard—and be afraid as to why you gave it your ears
Disregard—and be afraid that it was mandatory to pay heed
Perceive—and be afraid that the same would not one day be your fate
Overlook—and be afraid about what your eyewitness testimony could be
Reflect—and be afraid that it came to be expressed on your face
Ignore—and be afraid that you may give them something to think about
Read—and be afraid about who looks over your shoulder
Pass over—and be afraid that they will study what you read
Write—and be afraid of the plurality of meanings that may be read from it
Don’t write—and be afraid that new forms will be taught
Fear—and be afraid that they will ask what there is to be afraid of
Don’t fear—and dread that the order will come, ‘Be afraid!’
कहो तो डरो
कहो तो डरो कि हाय यह क्यों कह दिया
न कहो तो डरो कि पूछेंगे चुप क्यों हो
सुनो तो डरो कि अपना कान क्यों दिया
न सुनो तो डरो कि सुनना लाज़िमी तो नहीं था
देखो तो डरो कि एक दिन तुम पर भी यह न हो
न देखो तो डरो कि गवाही में बयान क्या दोगे
सोचो तो डरो कि वह चेहरे पर न झलक आया हो
न सोचो तो डरो कि सोचने को कुछ दे न दें
पढ़ो तो डरो कि पीछे से झाँकने वाला कौन है
न पढ़ो तो डरो कि तलाशेंगे क्या पढ़ते हो
लिखो तो डरो कि उसके कई मतलब लग सकते हैं
न लिखो तो डरो कि नई इबारत सिखाई जाएगी
डरो तो डरो कि कहेंगे डर किस बात का है
न डरो तो डरो कि हुक़्म होगा कि डर
