Sair-e-Falak

A Celestial Journey

With my companion, Imagination, true, My path ascended through the cosmic blue.

I flew onward, and there was no one there, No soul who knew me in that upper air.

The stars in wonder gazed upon my flight, My journey was a secret sealed from sight.

I broke beyond the ring of dusk and dawn, From that old, weary system, I was gone.

What can I tell you of Iram's great prize? The last desire of listening ears and eyes.

On Tooba's bough, the birds in music call, Unveiled, the Houris offer charms to all.

The graceful Saqian, with goblets held up high, "Drink, and drink again!" the joyous drinkers cry.

Then far from Paradise, my eye perceived A dark abode, of warmth and sound bereaved.

The gloom of Qais's fate, of Laila's hair, Were intertwined with all the darkness there.

A cold so deep, that feeling its disgrace, The Sphere of Zamhareer would hide its face.

I asked the nature of that grim abode, And from Surosh, a startling answer flowed:

"This frozen place," he said, "is Hell itself, An empty void, of Fire and of Light bereft.

"Its flames are borrowed things, not native here, And make the souls who contemplate know fear.

"The souls from Earth who to this place are brought, Bring their own embers, from the lives they wrought."