ਕਿਸਮਤ किस्मत Fate

 

Annotation

There are three levels of imagery captured in Pritam's short stanza.

First, she establishes the physical action of lovers climbing together to reach higher ground. Within that, her image snaps the moment when he reaches out and lends her a hand to help her over a steep step.

Second, she creates the image of young lovers gazing in each other eyes as they talk and bare their hearts - and realize when innocence is lost, when childish talk gives over to adult desire.

Third, she deftly interlaces these images in a way that it marks the fateful moment of falling in love.

किस्मत  

नज़र तेरी नें हाथ पकड़ाया 
एक ही मुलाकात में बातें
उम्र की सीढ़ी चढ़ आयीं

Fate

Your gaze held my hand

          and in a moment's tide

          our conversation stepped

          over the years' divide

Alternate

Your gaze 

          pulled my hand

          up the stage

Our conversation 

          stepped up the ladder 

          to come of age

ਕਿਸਮਤ  

ਨਜ਼ਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਨੇ ਹਥ ਫੜਾਇਆ
ਇੱਕੋ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ ਵਿਚ ਗੱਲਾਂ
ਉਮਰ ਦੀ ਪੌੜੀ ਚੜ ਆਈਆਂ

[Excerpt from the poem किस्मत, Fate, ਕਿਸਮਤ ]

Kismat

nazara tērī nē hatha phaṛā'i'ā

ikō mulākāta vica galāṁ

umara dī pauṛī caṛa ā'ī'āṁ

kismat

najar teree ne haath pakadaya

ek hee mulaakaat mein baaten

umr kee seedhee chadh aayeen