“A Lady Adorning Herself”
Every strand of hair is bejeweled with pearls.
Hairline is decorated with vermillion, shining like
the moon.
A garland of flowers is tied around the hair bun.
Arms adorned with henna.
Gold leaf earrings glittering from the ears.
Neck bedecked with a gorgeous necklace.
On her golden forehead, a red dot brings forth
identity and elegance.
Her sharp emerald eyes are lined with kohl.
Blush on her cheeks acknowledging acceptance of
heart.
Lips reddened by flowers,
Sometimes due to a floweret, other times due to the
presence of her sweetheart.
Saffron-colored dress and a striped capacious
scarf.
Each and every gold bangle twinkling with her
sweetheart’s silhouette.
Walking slowly but her anklets evince talks about
her beloved.
Looking at herself in a mirror,
Bashful girl basks in the beauty of womanliness.
The Universe is palpitating.
Parveen Shakir (24 November 1952 - 26 December 1994)
Translated from the Urdu by M.S. Alverston, 02/21/11.
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