Faiz Ahmed Faiz

"Bol ki lab azaad hain teray

Bol zubaan ab tak teri hai

Tera sutawaan jism hai tera

Bol ki jaan ab tak teri hai

Dekh ke aahangar ki dukaan mein

Tund hain sholay surkh hai aahan

Khulanay lagay quffalon kay dahaanay

Phela har ik zanjeer ka daaman

Bol ye thora waqt bohat hai

Jism-o-zubaan ki maut se pehlay

Bol ki sach zindaa hai ab tak
Bol jo kuch kehna hai kehlay"

Translation:
"Speak, for your lips are yet free
Speak, for your tongue is still your own
Your lissom body yours alone
Speak, your life is still your own
Look into the blacksmith’s forge
The flame blazes, the iron’s red
Locks unfasten open-mouthed
Every chain’s link springing wide
Speak, a little time suffices
Before the tongue, the body die
Speak, the truth is still alive
Speak: say what you have to say"

[Translation by Yasmin Hosain]