Sher on Kiss
Kiss is one of the most
precious desires of the lovers. They dream of kisses, aspire for them, and consider them as a token of acceptance if granted by the lady-love. Romantic poetry in Urdu has treated this subject with great delicacy. Accepted and unaccepted kisses reveal many facets of love and love life. Here are some examples.
dikhā ke jumbish-e-lab hī tamām kar ham ko
na de jo bosa to muñh se kahīñ javāb to de
with just the sight of moving lips, kill me, let me die
if you don't kiss me with your lips, do at least reply
Just show the movement of your lips and finish me off entirely.
If you cannot give a kiss, then at least give a verbal reply.
The poet expresses an intense longing for the beloved to break their silence. While a kiss is the ultimate desire, the lover is willing to accept a mere verbal refusal, because the very act of the beloved moving their lips is so captivating that it is enough to 'finish' (overwhelm or kill) the lover with its beauty.
dikha ke jumbish-e-lab hi tamam kar hum ko
na de jo bosa to munh se kahin jawab to de
with just the sight of moving lips, kill me, let me die
if you don't kiss me with your lips, do at least reply
Just show the movement of your lips and finish me off entirely.
If you cannot give a kiss, then at least give a verbal reply.
The poet expresses an intense longing for the beloved to break their silence. While a kiss is the ultimate desire, the lover is willing to accept a mere verbal refusal, because the very act of the beloved moving their lips is so captivating that it is enough to 'finish' (overwhelm or kill) the lover with its beauty.
bosa dete nahīñ aur dil pe hai har lahza nigāh
jī meñ kahte haiñ ki muft aa.e to maal achchhā hai
They refuse to grant a kiss, yet their gaze remains fixed on my heart at every moment.
They say to themselves that if this commodity is obtained for free, it is a very good deal.
The poet playfully exposes the calculating nature of the beloved, treating love like a marketplace transaction. The beloved desires the lover's heart (devotion) but refuses to pay the 'price' of a single kiss, thinking that acquiring such a valuable possession without cost is a profitable bargain.
bosa dete nahin aur dil pe hai har lahza nigah
ji mein kahte hain ki muft aae to mal achchha hai
They refuse to grant a kiss, yet their gaze remains fixed on my heart at every moment.
They say to themselves that if this commodity is obtained for free, it is a very good deal.
The poet playfully exposes the calculating nature of the beloved, treating love like a marketplace transaction. The beloved desires the lover's heart (devotion) but refuses to pay the 'price' of a single kiss, thinking that acquiring such a valuable possession without cost is a profitable bargain.
dhamkā ke bose lūñgā ruḳh-e-rashk-e-māh kā
chandā vasūl hotā hai sāhab dabāv se
dhamka ke bose lunga ruKH-e-rashk-e-mah ka
chanda wasul hota hai sahab dabaw se
bosa-e-ruḳhsār par takrār rahne dījiye
lījiye yā dījiye inkār rahne dījiye
bosa-e-ruKHsar par takrar rahne dijiye
lijiye ya dijiye inkar rahne dijiye
ek bose ke talabgār haiñ ham
aur māñgeñ to gunahgār haiñ ham
A kiss is all that I aspire for
I would be guilty if I ask for more
ek bose ke talabgar hain hum
aur mangen to gunahgar hain hum
A kiss is all that I aspire for
I would be guilty if I ask for more
mil ga.e the ek baar us ke jo mere lab se lab
'umr bhar hoñToñ pe apne maiñ zabāñ pherā kiyā
mil gae the ek bar us ke jo mere lab se lab
'umr bhar honTon pe apne main zaban phera kiya
be-ḳhudī meñ le liyā bosa ḳhatā kiije muaaf
ye dil-e-betāb kī saarī ḳhatā thī maiñ na thā
be-KHudi mein le liya bosa KHata kije muaf
ye dil-e-betab ki sari KHata thi main na tha
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Tags : Bekhudiand 1 more
bosa jo ruḳh kā dete nahīñ lab kā dījiye
ye hai masal ki phuul nahīñ pañkhuḌī sahī
If you do not grant a kiss upon your cheek (face), then grant one from your lip.
There is a famous proverb: if one cannot have the whole flower, a single petal will suffice.
The poet uses a clever and playful argument to negotiate with the beloved. By equating the face to a full flower and the lip to a mere petal, the lover suggests that a kiss on the lips is a modest compromise, citing the proverb that a part is acceptable if the whole is denied.
bosa jo ruKH ka dete nahin lab ka dijiye
ye hai masal ki phul nahin pankhuDi sahi
If you do not grant a kiss upon your cheek (face), then grant one from your lip.
There is a famous proverb: if one cannot have the whole flower, a single petal will suffice.
The poet uses a clever and playful argument to negotiate with the beloved. By equating the face to a full flower and the lip to a mere petal, the lover suggests that a kiss on the lips is a modest compromise, citing the proverb that a part is acceptable if the whole is denied.
bose apne āriz-e-gulfām ke
lā mujhe de de tire kis kaam ke
bose apne aariz-e-gulfam ke
la mujhe de de tere kis kaam ke
ek bosa hoñT par phailā tabassum ban gayā
jo harārat thī mirī us ke badan meñ aa ga.ī
ek bosa honT par phaila tabassum ban gaya
jo hararat thi meri us ke badan mein aa gai
kyā qayāmat hai ki aariz un ke niile paḌ ga.e
ham ne to bosa liyā thā ḳhvāb meñ tasvīr kā
kya qayamat hai ki aariz un ke nile paD gae
hum ne to bosa liya tha KHwab mein taswir ka
bosa jo talab maiñ ne kiyā hañs ke vo bole
ye husn kī daulat hai luTā.ī nahīñ jaatī
bosa jo talab main ne kiya hans ke wo bole
ye husn ki daulat hai luTai nahin jati
lajā kar sharm khā kar muskurā kar
diyā bosa magar muñh ko banā kar
laja kar sharm kha kar muskura kar
diya bosa magar munh ko bana kar
badan kā saarā lahū khiñch ke aa gayā ruḳh par
vo ek bosa hameñ de ke surḳh-rū hai bahut
badan ka sara lahu khinch ke aa gaya ruKH par
wo ek bosa hamein de ke surKH-ru hai bahut
bosa liyā jo us lab-e-shīrīñ kā mar ga.e
dī jaan ham ne chashma-e-āb-e-hayāt par
bosa liya jo us lab-e-shirin ka mar gae
di jaan hum ne chashma-e-ab-e-hayat par
be-gintī bose leñge ruḳh-e-dil-pasand ke
āshiq tire paḌhe nahīñ ilm-e-hisāb ko
we shall kiss your beautiful face without counting
your lover is unversed in the science of accounting
be-ginti bose lenge ruKH-e-dil-pasand ke
aashiq tere paDhe nahin ilm-e-hisab ko
we shall kiss your beautiful face without counting
your lover is unversed in the science of accounting
mohabbat ek pākīza amal hai is liye shāyad
simaT kar sharm saarī ek bose meñ chalī aa.ī
mohabbat ek pakiza amal hai is liye shayad
simaT kar sharm sari ek bose mein chali aai
kyā ḳhuub tum ne ġhair ko bosa nahīñ diyā
bas chup raho hamāre bhī muñh meñ zabān hai
How admirable of you that you did not kiss a stranger.
Just stay silent—my mouth also has a tongue.
The speaker uses sharp irony: the beloved is “praised” for not showing intimacy to a rival, implying suspicion and hurt. The second line asserts self-respect—if accused or taunted, the speaker can answer back too. The emotional core is jealousy mixed with pride and a warning not to push patience too far.
kya KHub tum ne ghair ko bosa nahin diya
bas chup raho hamare bhi munh mein zaban hai
How admirable of you that you did not kiss a stranger.
Just stay silent—my mouth also has a tongue.
The speaker uses sharp irony: the beloved is “praised” for not showing intimacy to a rival, implying suspicion and hurt. The second line asserts self-respect—if accused or taunted, the speaker can answer back too. The emotional core is jealousy mixed with pride and a warning not to push patience too far.
bose biivī ke hañsī bachchoñ kī āñkheñ maañ kī
qaid-ḳhāne meñ giraftār samajhiye ham ko
bose biwi ke hansi bachchon ki aankhen man ki
qaid-KHane mein giraftar samajhiye hum ko
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Tags : Motherand 1 more
jis lab ke ġhair bose leñ us lab se 'sheftā'
kambaḳht gāliyāñ bhī nahīñ mere vāste
those lips that others get to kiss alas on them I see
not even curses or abuse are now assigned for me
jis lab ke ghair bose len us lab se 'shefta'
kambaKHt galiyan bhi nahin mere waste
those lips that others get to kiss alas on them I see
not even curses or abuse are now assigned for me
us lab se mil hī jā.egā bosa kabhī to haañ
shauq-e-fuzūl o jur.at-e-rindāna chāhiye
Eventually, without a doubt, a kiss will be granted from those lips.
One only requires excessive passion and the reckless courage of a drunkard.
Ghalib suggests that achieving intimacy with the beloved is not impossible, but it requires breaking social norms. Mere polite requests are insufficient; one needs an obsessive passion that defies logic and the fearless audacity of a drunkard who acts without worrying about consequences.
us lab se mil hi jaega bosa kabhi to han
shauq-e-fuzul o jurat-e-rindana chahiye
Eventually, without a doubt, a kiss will be granted from those lips.
One only requires excessive passion and the reckless courage of a drunkard.
Ghalib suggests that achieving intimacy with the beloved is not impossible, but it requires breaking social norms. Mere polite requests are insufficient; one needs an obsessive passion that defies logic and the fearless audacity of a drunkard who acts without worrying about consequences.
aatā hai jī meñ sāqi-e-mah-vash pe baar baar
lab chuum luuñ tirā lab-e-paimāna chhoḌ kar
aata hai ji mein saqi-e-mah-wash pe bar bar
lab chum lun tera lab-e-paimana chhoD kar
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Tags : Laband 1 more
le lo bosa apnā vāpas kis liye takrār kī
kyā koī jāgīr ham ne chhīn lī sarkār kī
le lo bosa apna wapas kis liye takrar ki
kya koi jagir hum ne chhin li sarkar ki
lab-e-nāzuk ke bose luuñ to missī muñh banātī hai
kaf-e-pā ko agar chūmūñ to mehñdī rang laatī hai
lab-e-nazuk ke bose lun to missi munh banati hai
kaf-e-pa ko agar chumun to mehndi rang lati hai
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Tags : Mehndiand 1 more
bosa hoñToñ kā mil gayā kis ko
dil meñ kuchh aaj dard mīThā hai
bosa honTon ka mil gaya kis ko
dil mein kuchh aaj dard miTha hai
maiñ aa rahā huuñ abhī chuum kar badan us kā
sunā thā aag pe bosa raqam nahīñ hotā
main aa raha hun abhi chum kar badan us ka
suna tha aag pe bosa raqam nahin hota
bosa to us lab-e-shīrīñ se kahāñ miltā hai
gāliyāñ bhī milīñ ham ko to milīñ thoḌī sī
bosa to us lab-e-shirin se kahan milta hai
galiyan bhi milin hum ko to milin thoDi si
bosāñ labāñ siiñ dene kahā kah ke phir gayā
pyāla bharā sharāb kā afsos gir gayā
bosan laban sin dene kaha kah ke phir gaya
pyala bhara sharab ka afsos gir gaya
bujhe laboñ pe hai bosoñ kī raakh bikhrī huī
maiñ is bahār meñ ye raakh bhī uḌā dūñgā
bujhe labon pe hai boson ki rakh bikhri hui
main is bahaar mein ye rakh bhi uDa dunga
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Tag : Lab
kyā taab kyā majāl hamārī ki bosa leñ
lab ko tumhāre lab se milā kar kahe baġhair
I have neither the strength nor the nerve to take a kiss.
I cannot even bring my lips to yours without first speaking or asking.
The couplet expresses shy longing: the beloved’s kiss is desired, yet the speaker feels too weak and unworthy to dare it. “Strength” and “courage” become metaphors for emotional permission. The hesitation suggests deep respect and modesty, where even an intimate act seems impossible without consent voiced aloud.
kya tab kya majal hamari ki bosa len
lab ko tumhaare lab se mila kar kahe baghair
I have neither the strength nor the nerve to take a kiss.
I cannot even bring my lips to yours without first speaking or asking.
The couplet expresses shy longing: the beloved’s kiss is desired, yet the speaker feels too weak and unworthy to dare it. “Strength” and “courage” become metaphors for emotional permission. The hesitation suggests deep respect and modesty, where even an intimate act seems impossible without consent voiced aloud.
ham ko gaalī ke liye bhī lab hilā sakte nahīñ
ġhair ko bosa diyā to muñh se dikhlā kar diyā
hum ko gali ke liye bhi lab hila sakte nahin
ghair ko bosa diya to munh se dikhla kar diya
sabhī in.aam nit paate haiñ ai shīrīñ-dahan tujh se
kabhū tū ek bose se hamārā muñh bhī mīThā kar
sabhi inam nit pate hain ai shirin-dahan tujh se
kabhu tu ek bose se hamara munh bhi miTha kar
ruḳhsār par hai rañg-e-hayā kā faroġh aaj
bose kā naam maiñ ne liyā vo nikhar ga.e
ruKHsar par hai rang-e-haya ka farogh aaj
bose ka nam main ne liya wo nikhar gae
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Tag : Rukhsar
lab-e-ḳhayāl se us lab kā jo liyā bosa
to muñh hī muñh meñ ajab tarah kā mazā aayā
lab-e-KHayal se us lab ka jo liya bosa
to munh hi munh mein ajab tarah ka maza aaya
dil-lagī meñ hasrat-e-dil kuchh nikal jaatī to hai
bose le lete haiñ ham do-chār hañste bolte
dil-lagi mein hasrat-e-dil kuchh nikal jati to hai
bose le lete hain hum do-chaar hanste bolte
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Tags : Diland 1 more
jo un ko lipTā ke gaal chūmā hayā se aane lagā pasīna
huī hai bosoñ kī garm bhaTTī khiñche na kyūñkar sharāb-e-āriz
jo un ko lipTa ke gal chuma haya se aane laga pasina
hui hai boson ki garm bhaTTi khinche na kyunkar sharab-e-ariz
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Tag : Rukhsar
guḌ siiñ mīThā hai bosa tujh lab kā
is jalebī meñ qand o shakkar hai
guD sin miTha hai bosa tujh lab ka
is jalebi mein qand o shakkar hai
bosa kaisā yahī ġhanīmat hai
ki na samjhe vo lazzat-e-dushnām
What kiss—this much itself is a blessing for me.
That the beloved does not recognize the pleasure hidden in my insults.
Ghalib speaks with ironic self-control: he doesn’t even hope for a kiss, and considers it ‘enough’ that the beloved fails to grasp the sweetness behind his sharp words. Here “dushnam” (abuse) becomes a lover’s paradoxical language—complaint and affection intertwined. The emotional core is wounded love that masks desire with sarcasm and turns deprivation into a kind of victory.
bosa kaisa yahi ghanimat hai
ki na samjhe wo lazzat-e-dushnam
What kiss—this much itself is a blessing for me.
That the beloved does not recognize the pleasure hidden in my insults.
Ghalib speaks with ironic self-control: he doesn’t even hope for a kiss, and considers it ‘enough’ that the beloved fails to grasp the sweetness behind his sharp words. Here “dushnam” (abuse) becomes a lover’s paradoxical language—complaint and affection intertwined. The emotional core is wounded love that masks desire with sarcasm and turns deprivation into a kind of victory.
sādgī dekh ki bose kī tama.a rakhtā huuñ
jin laboñ se ki mayassar nahīñ dushnām mujhe
sadgi dekh ki bose ki tama rakhta hun
jin labon se ki mayassar nahin dushnam mujhe
jī uThūñ phir kar agar tū ek bosa de mujhe
chūsnā lab kā tire hai mujh ko juuñ āb-e-hayāt
ji uThun phir kar agar tu ek bosa de mujhe
chusna lab ka tere hai mujh ko jun aab-e-hayat
luTāte haiñ vo daulat husn kī bāvar nahīñ aatā
hameñ to ek bosa bhī baḌī mushkil se miltā hai
luTate hain wo daulat husn ki bawar nahin aata
hamein to ek bosa bhi baDi mushkil se milta hai
namkīñ goyā kabāb haiñ phīke sharāb ke
bosā hai tujh labāñ kā maze-dār chaTpaTā
namkin goya kabab hain phike sharab ke
bosa hai tujh laban ka maze-dar chaTpaTa
ham to kyūñkar kaheñ ki bosa do
gar ināyat karo ināyat hai
hum to kyunkar kahen ki bosa do
gar inayat karo inayat hai
bole vo bosa-hā-e-paiham par
are kam-baḳht kuchh hisāb bhī hai
bole wo bosa-ha-e-paiham par
are kam-baKHt kuchh hisab bhi hai
bose meñ hoñT ulTā āshiq kā kaaT khāyā
terā dahan maze siiñ pur hai pe hai kaTorā
bose mein honT ulTa aashiq ka kaT khaya
tera dahan maze sin pur hai pe hai kaTora
rakhe hai lazzat-e-bosa se mujh ko gar mahrūm
to apne tū bhī na hoñToñ talak zabāñ pahuñchā
rakhe hai lazzat-e-bosa se mujh ko gar mahrum
to apne tu bhi na honTon talak zaban pahuncha
jī meñ hai itne bose liije ki aaj
mahr us ke vahāñ se uTh jaave
ji mein hai itne bose lije ki aaj
mahr us ke wahan se uTh jawe
us vaqt dil pe kyūñke kahūñ kyā guzar gayā
bosa lete liyā to sahī lek mar gayā
us waqt dil pe kyunke kahun kya guzar gaya
bosa lete liya to sahi lek mar gaya
