The Footprint
by Mirza GhalibEnglish version by Robert Bly
Original Language Urdu
In this world of infinite possibility
I look around for the second step
of desire--
All I see is one footprint!
 | -- from The Soul is Here for its Own Joy: Sacred Poems from Many Cultures, Edited by Robert Bly |
<<Previous Poem | More Poems by Mirza Ghalib | Next Poem >>
/ Image by Roy Lathwell /
View All Poems by Mirza Ghalib
I love this short poem.
His use of "desire" can be read on different levels. On one level we can read this as a love poem and he is simply referring to a man's desire for a woman. But that first line and the final line, they unfold into deeper layers of meaning. His desire can be understood as desire for the Eternal -- sacred yearning.
On that path, there is only one step, then one disappears into the embrace of the Beloved!
Recommended Books: Mirza Ghalib
