Mirza Ghalib

The Rose with its redolent petals
by Mirza Ghalib
(1797 - 1869) Timeline

English version by
Riaz Ahmad

Original Language
Urdu
Muslim / Sufi

19th Century



The Rose with its redolent petals
The Water lily with its robe of virgin white
These have surely come to us in transmigration
Of but a few of those
Endowed with sublime beauty and grace.
Some embrace death to sprout again
But most, forever, in dust remain.