Today I Am As A Gypsy

Today I Am As A Gypsy

Fed up from population, towards the world of simplicity:

Dignity, full of love, care, peace and fresh air blowing. 

It covered mountains four sides, greenery,  Situated between the valleys of greenery.

Everything dead seemed to come to life. 

 

I was standing with a bunch of nostalgia, 

It seemed to be that l had all things, 

I sang a “TAKI” or Tapa with myself,

Pa Toro Ghrono Ke Me Gura,

Da Abadi Na Sta Pa Lor Raghali Yma.

Searching me somewhere in the greenery mountains: 

Fed from population owing to this came here.

Listen!

What I was looking? Caravan of nomadic people,

They were going with their children, women, and animals. 

Loaded camels with their goods,

Came from far away and seemed to be staying here, It was morning time.

 

I was waiting impatiently,

When they will decide for staying here?

Making shelters of Tents,

They were tired and drowsy eyes.

 

Nature was blessed on them, 

Because of it was Spring. 

Flowers blossomed and dew drops on them, 

Green and greenery everywhere.

Look!

Their respect of old women, men and children in tents, 

While young girls were preparing food for them,  And young boys were grazing animals in the valleys,  At the afternoon.

 

Hearing sweet melodious sounds of songs, 

Rupture the sounds as because of blowing air, 

But! It was more sweet in that too,

Know not, either join them or listen the song.

 

Children were doing SKHAY (Game)

 While girls were collecting woods for fire.  Sun about to sit and Twilight spread around,  It was Evening time.

 

Listen!

Shepherds returned their tents with their Flocks,  Hearing sound the kids of goats and sheep.

It was another world!

Echos of kids like it is in the valley.

 

People were busying to feed them, 

Trying to meet each kid with mother. 

They were calling their animals by names,  Wonder! By calling, mothers were ready to feed them,  There was no rest, but peace and harmony there.

 

Standing here, but in an imagination I was there, 

Know not who is tempting me towards them, 

At last, I joined them,  It was Night time.

 

Listen!

Respect and dignity was there,

Seated all women and men together in tent, 

We arranged some candles for lighting, 

Because of lacking oil in the Lantern.

Old man, which other was calling him “BABA”,  

To calling one of their grandsons,

We have a guest, go and tells for SHIN CHAI, But he stopped him so to ask from guest what type of Tea?

So, I told them no sugar at all.

 

Amazing!

After a lot of discussion, BABA asked others, 

Where a young man! who plays SARINDH very well, 

Replied, he is here and sit with parallel of Tent,  BABA asked, come, come….“Ramakhe Ta Sha”.

 

We were all awaiting to listen him,

Brought SHIN CHAI of BABA’s grandson with the dry furits.  

He was a tall boy: long hair, simple man,

A boy who was experted in playing SARINDH.

He was playing it and ready for song, 

BABA asked! Stand and perform ATTAN, 

So, I also joined the ATTAN group,

BABA was telling “KHIR DA V” to the group of ATTAN.  

I thought he is not able to perform but he joined us.

 

A man who was expert,  he sang a TAKY (TAPA) with SARINDH after ATTAN,

Alama! Uw Tar Bal Zaregy,

Ma Da Majlis Yaran Lidal Che Juda Shoona.

O people! Love each other:

Seeing many Majlis’ people, but now they are no more in this world.  

Now compete in the TAKYS or TAPAS.

 

BABA, sang a TAPA,

Pa Ta Da Juno Majlis Thud De,

Pa Lewani Yaar De Hujre Abade Dena.

Decorate the girls’ Majlis because of you,

But cheering and peace HUJRA because of your beloved. 

Now another small child, sang a TAPA,

 

Starge De We Watale Na We,

Che Pa Malat De Loydham Na De Ledama.

Either you were having eyes or not, Not seeing that growing in your community.

Other children were listening him impatiently. 

All were clapping for him.

 

BABA ask! Give chance to Guest,

I insisted it because of chance for other to sing, 

But at last helpless and I sang this TAPA,

Ka Qalam Jang Wy Ma Ba Kare,

Da Turo Jang De Warkhata Walarra Yama.

If war of Qalam! I would have take part in it,

But standing shock! Because of the war of swords.

 

BABA appreciates it, because he is a wise man, 

He said that Tapa has been changed but is good.

Ka Turo Jang Wy Ma Ba Kare,

Da Qismat Jang De Warkhata Walarra Yama.

If war of Swords! I would have take part in it, But standing shock! Because of the war of Luck.

It is original couplet, Baba said.

 

Now we want QALAM, rather than Swords, 

We fed up from the wars.

There are no benefits in wars rather than dead bodies,  Orphans, widows, and destroy families. 

We were listening his interpretation.

 

He was cursing on wars. 

Because he was a wise man. 

Knowing that there is no benefit in war.

At last praying for peace and no wars, 

Especially Pashtuns will not suffer anymore.

 

Now time comes up to separate,

But I did not know how times have been passed, 

We are saying good bye to each other, 

But BABA was Laughing and said, “TODAY YOU ARE AS A GYPSY”.

~Sana Ullah Wazir