Parveen Shakir Shayari

Parveen Shakir: A Poet of Elegance and Emotions

Parveen Shakir is celebrated for her extraordinary ability to

weave human emotions into lyrical beauty.

Her poetry reflects love heartbreak, femininity,

and the struggles of modern relationships, all while maintaining

an elegance that leaves readers enchanted.

Below, we explore some of her iconic verses in Urdu text,

Urdu Roman, and English translation.

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1. On Love and Pain

Urdu Script:
خوشبو کی طرح میری غزلوں میں بسا رہ
یہ چاندنی راتوں کا بھرم ٹوٹ نہ جائے

Urdu Roman:
Khushboo ki tarah meri ghazlon mein basa reh
Yeh chandni raaton ka bharam toot na jaye

English Translation:
"Stay nestled in my verses like fragrance,
May the illusion of these moonlit nights never break."

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2. On Heartbreak

Urdu Script:
پتھر کی طرح جام اٹھاتے رہے ہیں لوگ
حیرت ہے پھر بھی ٹوٹ کے بکھرا نہیں کوئی

Urdu Roman:
Pathar ki tarah jaam uthatay rahay hain log
Hairat hai phir bhi toot ke bikhra nahi koi

English Translation:
"People kept lifting the glass like it was stone,
And yet, surprisingly, no one shattered."

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3. On Feminine Identity

Urdu Script:
عورت ہوں مگر دل کے تقاضے نہ سمجھ پاؤں
چاہوں بھی تو کچھ کہہ نہیں پاتی ہوں خموشی میں

Urdu Roman:
Aurat hoon magar dil ke taqazay na samajh paoon
Chahun bhi to kuch keh nahi paati hoon khamoshi mein

English Translation:
"I am a woman, yet I fail to understand the demands of my heart,
Even when I want to, I remain silent in my quietude."

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4. On Longing

Urdu Script:
تمہارے خط میں نیا اک سلام کس کا تھا
نہ تھا رقیب تو آخر وہ نام کس کا تھا؟

Urdu Roman:
Tumhare khat mein naya ek salaam kiska tha
Na tha raqeeb to aakhir woh naam kiska tha?

English Translation:
"In your letter, whose new greeting was it?
If not a rival, then whose name was it?"

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5. On Fragility and Love

Urdu Script:

وفا کریں گے، نبھائیں گے، بات کریں گے
تمہیں بھی یاد ہے کچھ؟ ہم کو یاد آتا ہے

Urdu Roman:
Wafa karenge, nibhaenge, baat karenge
Tumhe bhi yaad hai kuch? Humko yaad aata hai

English Translation:
"We promised to stay loyal, to fulfill, to converse,
Do you remember any of it? I often recall it."

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Why Parveen Shakir’s Poetry Matters

Parveen Shakir’s poetry captures the essence of emotions with simplicity and grace. Her unique feminine voice

gave Urdu poetry a fresh perspective, and her metaphors of nature, love, and identity make her verses timeless.

Whether it’s the bittersweet realities of love or the complexities of being a woman, Parveen Shakir’s poetry

remains a guiding light for lovers of Urdu literature.

Which of her couplets touches your heart the most? Share your favorite in the comments!