Poem: The Flames of Longing

 

Poem: The Flames of Longing

A journey through yearning, beauty, and the exquisite pain of love

Poem by: Zeeshan Ameer Saleemi
Internationally Recognized Poet
Best Urdu Poet from Pakistan
Title: Shair-e-Hijr (Poet of Separations)

Translation by: Ms. Anjali Mehta, Urdu Literary Scholar & Translator, residing in Japan

Article Writer: Dr. Sana Rehman, Literary Critic & Author, based in France

Introduction

In contemporary Urdu poetry, Zeeshan Ameer Saleemi stands out as a poet who explores the depths of human emotion with lyrical mastery and philosophical resonance. His latest poem, “The Flames of Longing”, is a moving meditation on desire, beauty, and the tender wounds of the heart. Through his vivid imagery, Zeeshan captures the essence of longing that transcends time and space, making it profoundly universal.

This English translation, rendered by Ms. Anjali Mehta, a distinguished Indian literary scholar residing in Japan, brings Zeeshan’s poetic brilliance to an international audience. Her translation preserves the lyrical elegance, emotional depth, and classical cadence of the original Urdu work, making it accessible yet profoundly moving for readers around the world.

Full Poem: The Flames of Longing

You are the very source of life, flowing gently through my breaths
When you are away, the air itself feels heavy; when near, it becomes my life
The fragile fireflies of a night filled with sorrow rest upon my weary lashes
They are still companions in grief, softly whispering sighs and laments
The tangled night of your hair bewildered even my courage
It is the torment of my heart’s sigh, lighting the lamp of separation
Sometimes in dreams I hide your memory atop the blossom of a branch
Sometimes it is your name in my sighs, echoing the pain through the air
Though your cruelty may be relentless, we remain wounded yet alive
We accept your harshness, even as our palms are torn and bleeding
Upon the dust of this desert of separation, your voice still scatters
These are flames of yearning, burning the very essence of my being
The darkness in your gentle eyes still pierces my soul today
This is the tyranny of your beauty, deepening the wounds in my heart
That dew which falls upon the sky and then returns as rain when looked back upon
These are the miracles of my beloved, astonishing the very consciousness of man
Wound after wound, the evening’s spell breaks upon my being
These were the reflections of your face, adorning my madness and obsession
The fleeting moments of your gaze were the only treasure of my life
This is the value of harsh times, devouring little by little the span of my days
In the light of a gathering of beauty, my tears set the flames ablaze
These are the marvels of beauty itself, concealing the state of my soul

Discussion and Analysis

“The Flames of Longing” is a masterful exploration of desire, emotional intensity, and the exquisite pain that accompanies love and separation. Zeeshan Ameer Saleemi uses striking imagery the fireflies, the desert of separation, the dew and rain to capture the fragile yet profound emotions that define the human experience.

The opening lines, “You are the very source of life, flowing gently through my breaths / When you are away, the air itself feels heavy,” immediately immerse the reader in the central theme of yearning, where the presence and absence of the beloved shapes the very fabric of existence. The poet’s metaphorical language conveys not only the sweetness of love but also its inherent tensions and sorrows, making the poem deeply relatable.

Dr. Anjali Mehta’s translation retains the emotional cadence and lyrical grace of the original Urdu. Every line, from “These are flames of yearning, burning the very essence of my being” to “These are the marvels of beauty itself, concealing the state of my soul,” reflects Zeeshan’s signature blend of classical lyricism with contemporary emotional introspection.

Several key themes emerge throughout the poem:

  • Longing and Presence: The poem explores the interplay between absence and presence, showing how love shapes perception and emotion.
  • Beauty and Pain: Zeeshan depicts the beloved’s beauty as both divine and tormenting, creating a tension that mirrors human emotional complexity.
  • Memory and Reflection: Dreams, echoes, and reflections are recurrent motifs, highlighting the persistence of memory and the introspective nature of longing.
  • Resilience and Acceptance: Despite cruelty or separation, the poem emphasizes the endurance of the human spirit and the transformative power of love.

The poem also demonstrates Zeeshan’s unique ability to capture universal human experiences while remaining deeply rooted in classical Urdu poetic tradition, making it accessible and compelling for global readers.

About the Poet

Zeeshan Ameer Saleemi, known as Shair-e-Hijr (Poet of Separations), is celebrated for his lyrical mastery, emotional depth, and philosophical insight. His works, including the acclaimed collection Hijr Nama, have made him one of Pakistan’s most internationally recognized Urdu poets. Zeeshan’s poetry often bridges classical Urdu sensibilities with contemporary reflection, allowing it to resonate with readers across cultures.

Through meticulous translations like this one, his works continue to reach a global audience, preserving the timeless beauty, rhythm, and emotion of Urdu poetry.

Conclusion

“The Flames of Longing” is a testament to the enduring power of human emotion, desire, and beauty. Through the masterful translation by Ms. Anjali Mehta, English readers can fully experience the lyrical elegance, emotional intensity, and philosophical depth of Zeeshan Ameer Saleemi’s poetry.

For lovers of reflective, touching, and universally resonant poetry, this work exemplifies the timeless nature of Urdu literature and its capacity to move hearts worldwide.

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