I Wish

I wish I didn’t wish so much,
To be is to wish,
To wish is to be expectant,
And,
When expectations are easily realized?

I think if wishes were horses,
They could run afar and,
Fetch us the things desired,
But then, this also is a wish!

How difficult it is not to wish,
To wish is to be driven - to be moving and successful,
It is fear of stagnation - of being left behind,
Which makes us wish,
Not to wish is frightening - it isolates you.

There are hindrances aplenty in fulfillment of the wishes,
Yet, how vicious is the working of the wish,
That we still wish!

The Journey

The goal in sight,
I was moving steadfastly,
oblivious of the immensity & light of beauty around,
Many a trips undertaken, the time gone by,
Now I realize,
The journey itself was the destination.

कफ़स

वक़्त का क्या है? गुजर जायेगा,
मौसम का क्या है? बदल जायेगा,
हसरतें हैं जिनकी उड़ने की, खुले आसमान में,
हालातों का कफ़स कब तक, जकड रख पायेगा?

उलझी लटें

जुस्तजू जिसकी थी उसको तो पाएंगे ही हम,
इस बहाने अगर दुनिया भी दिख जाये तो क्या है?

पूछते हो मुझसे मेरे आंसुओं का सबब,
गर बयां कर पाते तो ये हाल ही क्यूँ होता|

जब भी रोये हैं, ग़म में ही रोये हैं हम,
खुशियों में रोने की तमन्ना है इस बार|

सोचेंगे नहीं, लगायेंगे गोता,
तेरी चाहत के समंदर में,
या तो डूब जायेंगे, या साहिल पे तुझे पाएंगे|

गर उन्हें भी तड़पन हो मेरा दीदार करने की,
इस हिज्र के मौसम की बरसात अच्छी होगी|

नज़ारे कितने देखे इस कायनात में,
तेरी दीवानगी के इस आलम को ऐ दोस्त सलाम करते हैं|

सज़्दा

लगती है आग दिल में,
उठता है ख्याल मन में,
बन जा खुदा तू मेरी,
सज़्दा करूँ हमेशा!

Nature

Innocently glowing, valiantly beautiful,
The flower is standing graciously alone,
If it could, it would,
Like to adorn a damsel’s hairs,
If the strength and tenderness of its petals is not seen,
What can it do?
It can only let its fragrance blow,
Because its nature is to bloom and glow

The vast expanding hills,
Carrying yellow sunflower fields in its lap,
If it could, it would,
Like to be explored and played upon,
If the raw beauty of its big boulders and scattered trees is not seen,
What can it do?
It can only be sturdy and vast,
Because its nature is to stand stout and tall

The openness of sky, the warmth of sun,
The isolation of broken walls and naturalness of the fields,
Invites and kindles the fire of unquenched love,
If it could, it would,
Like to silent that thirst forever,
If it doesn’t find a union,
What can it do?
It can only remain mute and beseech,
Because its nature is to yearn for total freedom and release

True Soldier

Running indefatigably, toiling hard
Knocking obstacles, marching ahead
One more victory, countless others won
Yet the smile of success eludes you
What’s the matter Soldier, my dear pal?

Not knowing day from night,
Ever looking ahead to grab one more fight
Occupied with nothing else but war
Strategizing, manipulating, doing everything to reach the top
Yet the glow of contentment seems miles apart,
What’s the matter Soldier, my dear pal?

Dear ones have waited patiently
For you to bring security, love and goodies to feast on,
You promised to get all these,
Yet that day never comes, as the time goes on,
What’s the matter Soldier, my dear pal?

Is it that you forgot to look at the little flower, shining in all its colors?
And cared not to wet your feet in the cool currents of the singing stream?
Is it that you ignored the milestones and didn’t rest in the knowledge that,
How far have you arrived overcoming all the odds?
Is it that the lure of distant peak, made you blind,
To the sparkling light dancing in your backyard?
Is it that you are afraid to let yourself loose?
And cry over the wonders of beauty, for its innocence, simplicity and charm?

You need not reply, just pause and ponder
I am with you, as I have always been
Listen to me and get that lost meaning,
To go ahead and fight afresh,
Just for the sheer pleasure of it all,
Rise now and become a true hero,
You are a soldier after all!