Intensity of Experience

First I cried and then I laughed.

Clouds roared..
Lights flashed..
You came to mind.

In the second line, the division of syllables into three acoustically equal, and semantically complete, segments, creates a rhythm that rhymes with the pulsating pain along with the raging skies that the psychovisual atmosphere this verse depicts.

The first line, again, illustrates how common proverbial expressions can be successfully used to paint profound states of mind.

The reading flow of this verse is such that it runs a pictorial sequence in the peruser's mind that takes us directly into the mind of the poet himself. We see the intensity of the emotion (or the recall of which) that must have propelled Nasir to write this way.

The urge for a compatible companion

For a long past hour, someone keeps me company;

Is there anyone who can see the dialogue occur?

 

Who is this person sitting with Nasir at length?

 

Why does the second line hints that on one can see ‘him’?

 

Many people, in particular the highly imaginative ones, think out their thoughts; develop their ideas and supporting arguments in an interactive discourse format. The discourse may either take place, in real or in imagination, with people they know listen to them, or with ‘made-up’ companions.

 

Just think how, when a baby is born, it is in constant interaction with the outer world. The caretakers, of course, loom the largest in this world. Their moment-to-moment, day-to-day learning is nested in the back and forth transactions with this animate society. 

People of unique ideas and individualized outlooks often do not find reciprocity in the ordinary society around them. They fulfill their longing through imagined conversations.

 

The verse is made more interesting by the delightful use of the proverbial (and essentially untranslatable) question through which Nasir so delicately and skillfully points out the imaginary nature of his ‘companion’.

Reference: Deewan-G1-S10-p12