kujh unj vi rahwan aukhiaN san

ਕੁਝ ਉਂਝ ਵੀ ਰਾਹਵਾਂ ਔਖੀਆਂ ਸਨ
ਕੁਝ ਗਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਗ਼ਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਤੌਕ਼ ਵੀ ਸੀ
ਕੁਝ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਵੀ ਜ਼ਾਲਿਮ ਸਨ
ਕੁਝ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਮਰਨ ਦਾ ਸ਼ੌਕ਼ ਵੀ ਸੀ
– ਮੁਨੀਰ ਨਿਆਜ਼ੀ

کج اونج وی راہواں اوکھياں سن
کج گلےوچ غماں دا طوق وی سی
کج شہر دے لوک وی ظالم سن
کج سانوں مرن دا شوق وی سی
منیر نیازی –

kujh onj vi rahwan aukhiaN san
kujh galay vich ghaman da tauq vi si
kujh shehr dey lok vi zalim san
kujh sanoo marn da shawq vi si.
– Munir Niazi

Some of the ways were obtrusive
Some sorrows collared the neck
Some city people were repressive
Some of it: my affection for death.
– Ali Eteraz

the ways were hard, somewhat
the sorrows collared my neck, as well
the townsfolk were harsh, somewhat
the death wish, I had, as well
– Jasdeep

– Kuj sung by The Kominas

Source: Original Punjabi poem by Munir Niazi.
First Translation is by Ali Eteraz, A Punjabi American writer, his first novel Children of Dust: A Portrait of a Muslim as a Young Man has won many accolades.
Second Translation by yours truly.

Thanks to Sana for sharing Ali’s translation