For Perween Rehman
By Anwar Rashid
You got scared
of an innocent fledging little bird
like all cowards
how easily scared you are
The twitter of bulbuls
the softness of the clouds
the refreshing spray of cold water
has scared you
like all cowards
how easily scared you are
You can kill one Perween
but you cannot kill
the power of an idea
what you have done
has increased commitment and courage
and sense of purpose
The light of knowledge
will continue to spread
and with it awareness
in the villages and fields
On the lips of those
who have no shoes
there will be the smile of contentment
in the dancing fields
the sound of bangles
on the cheeks of the workers
the glitter of earings
These symbols of love
are messages to the enemies of peace
listen to them cowardly assassin
for we are not alone
we are not alone
(Translated from Urdu by Arif Hasan)