Pashto Poetry Text: The Heartbeat of Pashtun Emotion
Pashto poetry text holds a special place in the hearts of millions who speak the Pashto language. This form of poetry is a powerful expression of feelings, history, and identity. The Pashto language is rich in oral tradition. Poetry is not just written; it is spoken, sung, and shared in everyday life. It connects generations through stories of love, loss, pride, and spirituality.
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Romantic Pashto Poetry Text
ستا د سترګو دیدن ته مې زړه شوق کوي
هره لحظه، هره شپه، یاره یاد دې راځي
My heart longs to see your eyes, every moment, every night I remember you.
زه دې هیروم نشم، که دنیا راکړې
زما له زړۀ نه به دې خیال و نه وزي
I can’t forget you, even if the world is mine. Your thought never leaves my heart.
ته لکه سپوږمۍ، زه یم لېونی ستوری
ستا د ښکلا پۀ اسمان کې ورک شومه
You are the moon, I am a crazy star. I am lost in the sky of your beauty.
زه یم پۀ تا روږدی، نه یم پۀ ځان قادر
ستا پۀ خیالونو کې، زه خو ورک شوی یم
I’m addicted to you, I have no control over myself. Lost in your thoughts, I have vanished.
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Spiritual and Sufi Pashto Poetry Text
رحمانه دا دنيا د خيال ده، پاتې نه شي
خوشحال به هغه څوک وي، چې ځان پې وپېژني
Rahman says this world is a dream, it won’t stay. Happy is the one who knows himself.
زه دې عشق پۀ اور وسوم، لېونى شم
چې دې حسن د خالق تمثيل وګورم
Let me burn in the fire of your love, so I can see the image of the Creator in your beauty.
زړۀ مې ستا له عشقه پوره شو پۀ سکون
پۀ تا کې وموندلم د خدای وجود
My heart found peace in your love. Through you, I saw the presence of God.
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Sadness and Longing in Pashto Poetry Text
نه د وصال تمه لرم، نه د جدايۍ وس
بس د زړۀ درد پټ ساتم، لکه خاموش باران
I expect neither union nor can bear separation. I hide the pain in my heart like silent rain.
ژوند مې تېر شو په انتظار، خو ته نه راغلې
زما هره شپه شوه، پۀ سترګو کې اوښکې
My life passed waiting, but you never came. Every night my eyes filled with tears.
ستا له فراقه پۀ زړۀ اور بل شو
هره ساه مې پۀ تا باندې خفه ده
The fire of your absence burns in my heart. Every breath of mine mourns for you.
ستا د بېوسۍ فرياد مې کوڅو ته کړ
نه ته راغلې، نه مې ساه سوله وکړه
I cried out your absence to the streets. You never came, nor did my soul find peace.
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Bravery and Pride in Pashto Poetry Text
زۀ پښتون یم، سر ورکوم خو غیرت نه
دا زمونږ د پلارونو د ویاړ نښه ده
I am Pashtun, I give my life but not my honor. It is the pride of my ancestors.
د توري او قلم خاوند يم، زۀ خو پښتون يم
پۀ مينه، پۀ غيرت، پۀ وفا مين يم
I am the owner of the sword and pen, I am Pashtun. I love loyalty, honor, and passion.
که مې سر پرې شي پۀ ميدان کې، څه پروا نشته
د وطن د خاورې پۀ ارزښت مې سر قربان دی
If I lose my head in battle, I don’t mind. I’ve already sacrificed it for the soil of my land.
Short Folk Pashto Poetry (Landay Style)
زه لېونۍ یم، د چا د سترګو بندۍ یم
په خوب کې یې هم راځي، پۀ ویښه پسې ژاړم
I am crazy, imprisoned by someone’s eyes. I see him in dreams and cry when awake.
د یار تصویر مې د زړه پۀ انګار لګېدلی
زۀ چې یې هیر کړم، غمونه مې نه پرېږدي
The image of my beloved is burned in my heart. Even if I try to forget, sorrows won’t let me.
ستا د یادونو اور مې د زړۀ کور وسوځاوه
اوس پۀ خالیو دیوالونو زۀ ژاړم
The fire of your memory burned down my heart’s house. Now I cry before empty walls.
Types of Pashto Poetry
| Form | Style | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ghazal | Rhymed couplets | Love, mysticism, loss |
| Landay | Two-line short folk verse | Sadness, humor, daily life |
| Charbeta | Rhythmic, chant-like poetry | Bravery, war, history |
| Rubai | Four-line stanza | Reflection, wisdom |
The Role of Pashto Poetry in Society
Pashto poetry is an essential part of daily life. It is quoted in speeches, taught in classrooms, and recited in homes. In tribal areas, poetry has been used to resolve conflicts, motivate youth, and honor martyrs. Mushairas (poetry gatherings) are popular social events where poets share their work and compete for applause.
Poetry is also used in Pashto songs, dramas, and films. Many popular folk songs are based on classic poetic lines, bringing the words to life through music.
The Power of Short Verses in Pashto Poetry Text
What makes Pashto poetry text magical is how much emotion it packs into a few words. Let’s look at some examples:
Pashto:
ستا د سترګو تورې کجکې ما وژلې
زه تر سپوږمۍ او ستورو هم خوږ یم
English Translation:
The black curves of your eyes killed me,
I’m sweeter than the moon and stars above.
This line shows how even a simple compliment turns into lyrical beauty. The poet compares love to celestial wonder.
Another example from a Landay:
Pashto:
زه خوینه ستا له نامه شرمیږم
ته چې نه یې، زه له خلکو نه پټېږم
Translation:
I blush when they mention your name,
Since you’re gone, I hide from everyone.
These short poems are usually sung by women in secret, voicing their struggles, hopes, and broken dreams.
Famous Poets Who Shaped Pashto Poetry Text
Throughout history, some poets elevated Pashto poetry text to greatness.
Khushal Khan Khattak used poetry to call for freedom and unity. He believed in the strength of the Pashtun spirit.
Famous line:
“May my sword and pen bring honor to my land,
Let no tyrant crush my people’s stand.”
Rahman Baba is called the “Nightingale of Pashto.” His poetry is full of Sufi wisdom.
Famous line:
“I don’t care for worldly wealth or power,
Just let me bloom like a rose in God’s shower.”
Hamza Baba brought a modern touch. His poems explore heartbreak, hope, and identity. His words reflect the spirit of change and youth.
Even today, poets like Abdul Bari Jahani write verses that inspire patriotism and unity. His poem “Da watan mo pa sar de” (My country rests on our heads) became Afghanistan’s national anthem.
Conclusion
Pashto poetry text is emotional, rich, and everlasting. Whether talking about divine love or lost lovers, each verse touches the heart. The language, tone, and depth of Pashto poetry are unmatched.
Let us preserve it, share it, and write more of it. Every couplet is a window into Pashtun soul. Pashto poetry text continues to grow, not just as words, but as a living tradition that binds hearts together.
For every mood, there is a poem. For every wound, there is a verse. And for every soul, there is a place in Pashto poetry text.
