It is a translation from another language (not my poem)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My wish comes out on my lips as a prayer
O Lord, let my life be like a lamp

Let the darkness in this world disappear
and by my shining let every place be lit up

Let me be the cause of beauty to my country
Just as a flower is the beauty of the Gardens

My life be like a moth, O God
and I love the light of knowledge

My job be to protect the poor
To love the lamentable, the weak

O God, save me from evil
and let me tread on the path that is right

5 responses total.

quote the source, then?  I'm curious..

This is from an Urdu (a language spoken in India and Pakistan) poem by Iqbaal.
This poet wrote a lot of great poetry, which included quite a few for
children. Although this poem was written for children, I think it should be
inspiring for anyone!

Aaaaw..I have recently discovred this Iqbaal poet from an new/but old
friend.... :) I do like what I have read of it...and as is the case w/
Arabic...nothing is as good when in translation!!!

specially, when the translator knows little of Urdu (his mother toungue!) and
English both. I came to know of this poet from a friend who keeps the same
first name as the poet, but writes with an 'E'. This guy isn't a poet himself
but I think he was one of the more cheerful person I have met. Suddenly he
has become sad, I don't know why and he won't tell me!

This (in translation, at least) reminds me a lot of (translations of) biblical
poetry; Psalms, Isaiah, etc.  The paired phrases, the rhythmic patterns....
I love that form.  Maybe it's just a reflection of my childhood or something,
but I really think that this form of poetry is really effective.  

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