Let the ascetics sing of the garden of Paradise --



Let the ascetics sing of the garden of Paradise --
We who dwell in the true ecstasy can forget their vase-tamed bouquet.

In our hall of mirrors, the map of the one Face appears
As the sun's splendor would spangle a world made of dew.

Hidden in this image is also its end,
As peasants' lives harbor revolt and unthreshed corn sparks with fire.

Hidden in my silence are a thousand abandoned longings:
My words the darkened oil lamp on a stranger's unspeaking grave.

Ghalib, the road of change is before you always:
The only line stitching this world's scattered parts.

Font size:
Collection       
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 10, 2023

31 sec read
100

Quick analysis:

Scheme XX XX XX XX XX
Closest metre Iambic heptameter
Characters 565
Words 103
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 2, 2, 2, 2, 2

Mirza Ghalib

Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (1797–1869) was a renowned Persian and Urdu poet of the Mughal era, widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in the Urdu language. Born on December 27, 1797, in Agra, India, Ghalib's poetry reflects deep philosophical thought, romance, mysticism, and a sharp wit. Ghalib's literary contributions include ghazals, letters, and Persian poetry, and his works remain highly influential in South Asian literature. His poetry often explores themes of love, loss, fate, existential musings, and the human condition. Despite facing hardships, including financial struggles and personal losses, he maintained a distinctive poetic style filled with metaphors and intricate wordplay. During his lifetime, Ghalib witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire and the Revolt of 1857. He was honored as the court poet of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. Though underappreciated during his time, his poetry gained immense recognition after his death. His Diwan-e-Ghalib is a celebrated collection of Urdu ghazals, and his letters, written in a conversational and humorous tone, are considered masterpieces of Urdu prose. Ghalib passed away on February 15, 1869, in Delhi, India, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to inspire generations. more…

All Mirza Ghalib poems | Mirza Ghalib Books

1 fan

Discuss the poem Let the ascetics sing of the garden of Paradise -- with the community...

0 Comments

    Translation

    Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

    Select another language:

    • - Select -
    • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
    • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Esperanto (Esperanto)
    • 日本語 (Japanese)
    • Português (Portuguese)
    • Deutsch (German)
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • Français (French)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
    • 한국어 (Korean)
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Gaeilge (Irish)
    • Українська (Ukrainian)
    • اردو (Urdu)
    • Magyar (Hungarian)
    • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
    • Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • தமிழ் (Tamil)
    • Türkçe (Turkish)
    • తెలుగు (Telugu)
    • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
    • Čeština (Czech)
    • Polski (Polish)
    • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Românește (Romanian)
    • Nederlands (Dutch)
    • Ελληνικά (Greek)
    • Latinum (Latin)
    • Svenska (Swedish)
    • Dansk (Danish)
    • Suomi (Finnish)
    • فارسی (Persian)
    • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
    • հայերեն (Armenian)
    • Norsk (Norwegian)
    • English (English)

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Let the ascetics sing of the garden of Paradise --" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 14 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/28317/let-the-ascetics-sing-of-the-garden-of-paradise--->.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    March 2025

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    17
    days
    6
    hours
    14
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    I wandered lonely as a _______ that floats on high o'er vales and hills
    A bird
    B star
    C flower
    D cloud