zara si mehndi laga do
jo rang hi naa chadha to

tum ek nazar dekh lena
jo main naa dekhu to
to hawayein ghut ke mar jayengi
aur
to dariyaao ke dil sukh jayenge
aur

bhainse chara khana band kar degi
handpump mein paani aana band ho jayega
chid chidi taai hasne lagengi
aur gulzari patla ho jayega

A whisper of henna, a touch so slight,
If its crimson stain should fail to ignite...

Cast but a glance, a single ray,
If I should fail to see your way...

Then the winds will choke on silent sighs,
And the oceans' hearts will slowly dry...

The buffaloes will cease to graze,
The hand-pump's song will fade in haze,
The fretful aunt will start to laugh,
And Gulzari thin, a ghostly wraith.