There weren t any trees or stones water or land we didn t even know good and evil We didn t know what he talked about So we sat through the breakfast quietly adept in talk he went on talking by himseff In a rush we caught our flight and in panic left behind so many of our things on heaven all our loves—resolves and joys-all our dreams things lovingly packed in suitcases Translated by Faruq Hassan & Stanley Rajiva TRAVEL DIARY He insisted we join Him in a breakfast of light' We were afraid as Creation-morning dawned that Egotist might prevent us from setting out on our journey Revelling in the joy of His new success He might prevent us from catching the first spaceship that was taking off for Earth' We knew He had a taste for talk for words We knew He found the sound of His own voice dearer than all the worlds We had so much else to do (do you remember9) We still didn t have our passports Our money hadn t yet come We were packing our bags He insisted we join Him in a breakfast of light' All during the breakfast He kept talking about Himself "f m seeking a Regent for the Earth someone of good character who will be the very image of My Self" So we made a list of the candidates and added our own name too' 'I long for trees and stones to bow down to the ground night and day before Me— t long for land and water to pine away Annual of Urdu Studies #5 ^ Q