ज़रा सा वक़्त!

छोटे छोटे खिलौनों के लिए ज़िद करते थे ,
आज खुद ले सकते हैं पर चाह बदल गयी,
अब तो मन चाहता है कि यादों के समंदर में गोता लगाओ,
और ढूँढके सारे ख़ज़ाने वापिस लाओ!

जिनसे हक़ से लड़ते थे वो इंसान वापिस लाओ,
पुरानी डायरी में लिखी हुई वो तारीख वापिस लाओ,
हँसते खेलते बीती हुई वो शाम वापिस लाओ,
छोटी छोटी बातों पे मिले वो इनाम वापिस लाओ!

और गोते लगाके ले आओ गुज़रा वक़्त,
क़ाश हम बंद करें घड़ी और थम जाए वो वक़्त,
जिस याद में हो हम गुम, ले जाए वहीँ वो वक़्त,
जब तक मन ना भर जाए, रुक जाए ज़रा सा वक़्त!

लम्बे लम्बे सालों से बस कुछ पल वापिस चाहते हैं,
हमेशा के लिए ना सही, तो उधार ही चाहते हैं,
हम कौनसा वक़्त अपने साथ ले जाना चाहते हैं,
बस उन खुशियों का एहसास दोबारा चाहते हैं!

(Can't stop being in awe about the speed of passage of time)

यादों का खज़ाना..!!

वक़्त तो बस गुज़रता जाता है,

हम समझ ही नहीं पाते कहाँ गया!

पंछी की तरह उड़ जाता है,

हम खोजते रह जाते धरती की गलियों में!

बीती बातों को बीते ज़माने बीत गए,

हम क़ैद रह गए ना जाने किन पलों में!

जब भी यादों की गठरी खोलें,

खज़ाना सा बिख़र जाता है मन के मंच पे!

प्यारी प्यारी उन बातों को बीते ज़माना गुज़र गया?

छोटी छोटी उन रातों को रूठे ज़माना गुज़र गया!!

आईना जब देखते हैं तब एहसास होता है उम्र का,

मन तो शायद बचपन की गलियों में ही रह गया!

वो लुका-छुपी पकड़ा-पकड़ी के खेल जो खेलते थे हम,

खेलने वाले वो दोस्त के बजाय, या तो वक़्त था या मन!

दिन ना जाने कैसे ज़माने हो गए,

और दोस्त भी दुनिया की भीड़ में खो गए! 

ना जाने क्या जादू चलाया ज़िन्दगी ने हम पे,

हम ज़िद्दी बच्चे से बड़े समझदार हो गए!

वो माँ का आँचल, वो पापा की गोदी,

वो शादी का मंडप, और पहली खुश-खबरी,

अरे! कैसे भाग चला गया वक़्त?

अब तो हमारी गुड़िया भी बड़ी हो गयी!

ऐसे ही ज़िन्दगी बीत जायेगी फ़िसलती रेत की तरह,

और हम सोचते ही रह जाएंगे कि वक़्त गया तो कहाँ गया!!

(Fascinated by the speed of time)

Little Birdie & Golden Cage!

"Just one leap I need. A leap of freedom",
Said the little bird, with all her wisdom

Wisdom that had gone down the drains
When she fell for the cage, ditching her brains

The cage that was made of gold and pearls
It was the secret desire of a dozen girls

Girls that were pretty and wanted to play
Thought that the cage was from dough of clay

Clay that can easily be molded with their fingers and wrist
"A cage is a cage, even if it's golden", was it a quest?

A quest that was hard to unveil and demystify?
Had they thought the world was easy to defy?

World that has so much hypocrisy and rage
That's exactly what was lying in the cage

The cage that shined and attracted the bird
Little did she know, she'll never get to say a word

Words of excitement which chirpily she sang
Disappeared into air, poisoned by the fang

Fangs of the snake that hid beyond the glitter
Poisoned the bird's life and made it bitter

Bitterness, with her personality, had now intertwined
It had become a part of her heart, brain and mind

Mind that was once an epitome of cheerfulness
Had now become a house of boredom and dullness

Dullness that had encroached the bird's shiny face
Happiness had vanished, without even a trace

Trace, wish she could, even a little of her wisdom
While hoping from the cage, her "leap of freedom!"

अधूरापन...!!!

आज इन आँखों में कुछ नमी सी है 

आज फ़िर महसूस हुई कुछ कमी सी है

तुम बिन दिल की धड़कन कुछ थमी सी है

इस दर्द को मिटा पाना कठिन सा है

इस मन को समझा पाना कठिन सा है

अपने प्रेम को छुपा पाना कठिन सा है

क्यूँ बिछड़ने के लिए मिलते है हम?

क्यूँ हमेशा साथ नहीं होते है हम?

क्यूँ मिलकर बिछड़ ही जाते है हम?

एक दीया जलाया था मन में विश्वास लिए 

हम साथ रहेंगे इस बात की एक आस लिए 

तुम पास रहो तो जलाते रहेंगे रोज़ दीये 

तुम बिन मन की सारी बातें अधूरी है 

तुम बिन खुशियाँ और ख्वाहिशें अधूरी है 

तुम बिन मेरी ये कविता भी तो अधूरी ही है...!!!

To my best man!

I am getting married in a week,

I know that makes you go weak,

You happened to be the first man in my life,

And now I’m going to be someone else’s wife,

Not that it’ll change the facts about you and me,

But still, quite different, everything will be!

All that happiness portrayed by your smile,

And then those sudden rushes of your bile,

It is obvious how you struggle with yourself,

To accept that I’ll be a trophy of another’s shelf!

You will remain special, just like you’ve always been,

I will always love you, and this, I really really mean!

I will never forget the special moments we shared,

When we showed each other how much we cared,

When we fought bitterly over what’s wrong and right,

And then to sort it out, we hugged each other tight!

Remember how I hugged you and slept like a little one?

Did you then figure out, I’ll be taken away by someone?

Remember how you’d compliment me when I’d cook?

I used to browse for hours together, that recipe book!

When I left the town to study further, I knew you were upset,

But then you understood, it was for a good career’s onset,

Months after months, I kept staying away from you,

And then at times I rushed back- just to be with you,

But whenever came the time to go away again,

Only your eyes showed the separation’s pain!

Your have never been able to speak about your feelings clearly,

But your actions have always conveyed that you love me dearly!

I still remember the look on your face when I got engaged,

I saw the complexity of the smile you had managed,

Down through your cheeks when came those tears,

They clearly expressed all your emotions and fears!

The ceremonies of my wedding, when you will witness,

I can very well imagine the level of your stress,

And when you will put my hand in his hand,

With a trembling body, you’ll manage to stand!

And I still wouldn’t know whether to be happy or sad,

This rush of mixed emotions has made me totally mad!

Sometimes when I look at your face, my mind gets bare,

It questions me, about you, how much did I care?

One moment I feel that I completely understand you,

Another moment I don’t know if I even know you!

Just like you, I’m not good with expressing too,

But I love you a lot, and you know it, don’t you?

The thought of being away from you brings me tears in a moment,

If imagination is so horrifying, reality will be one hell of a torment!

May be we were meant to be away from each other,

But our love is pure and strong, please don’t bother,

I know you feel you won’t have rights on me after I’m wedded,

But trust me- our rights on each other are forever embedded!

The greatest of poets would fail to describe our affinity,

To share our sweetest memories, we will need eternity!

Our relationship is always going to be the most special one,

Nobody can ever replace you in my heart, absolutely no one!

It doesn’t matter that I’ll be called “his wife”,

You will always be the best man of my life!!

We aren’t the only couple, who’ll face this separation- hardship,

This misfortune is a part of every father-daughter relationship,

But when hearts are near, these distances won’t matter,

Our love is the strongest, it will never ever shatter!

तुम बिन... तन्हाइयाँ!

  

यही मौसम यही समा था

ये दिल भी क्या आवारा था

कैसा मस्त वो ज़माना था

मन ख़ुशी के गीत गुनगुनाता था

ये हवा भी क्या दीवानी थी

करती अपनी मनमानी थी

बारिश की बूंदे हम पे उडाती थी

और मन के मोर को गुदगुदाती थी

आपकी कातिल नज़रें वार करती थी

और इस नादां दिल को घायल करती थी

फ़िर प्यार भी हम से बेशुमार करती थी

और हमे उस प्यार में पागल करती थी

आज भी वही मौसम है वही समा है

शाम आज भी उतनी ही जवान है

आज बारिश की बूँदें आपकी यादें लेकर आयीं हैं

इन बेकरार नैनों में आँसू लेकर आयीं हैं

इन होठों पे आपका नाम अब भी आता है

इस दिल में आपका ख्याल अब भी आता है

अब यही समा आपकी याद में रुलाता है

आपसे मिलने को ये मन खूब छटपटाता है

बेकरार हैं ये नैन आपकी एक झलक देख पाने को

बेचैन है ये मन आपकी एक मुस्कान देख पाने को

कंपकंपाते हैं ये हाथ आपको फिरसे छू पाने को

लपलपाता है ये मन आपको बाहों में भर पाने को

हर झोंका हवा का आपकी याद दिलाता है

जैसे हर पल आपको दिल के और करीब लाता है

बीते दिन याद करके मन मंद-मंद मुस्काता है

देखते हैं कौनसा करिश्मा फ़िर हमें मिलाता है! 

(Another attempt at Hindi Poetry - 12.09.2011)

His Silent Sobs!!!

Born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, I was a naughty child,
Even on my disasters, my dad would punish me mild,
My mom said I was the apple of her old eyes,
We all were happy together, it felt very nice.

I spent all my childhood, lazing away with pals,
Unaware of large buildings, cities and malls,
My village was my world, I was a happy kid there,
Where every house and heart, to each other was near.

As I grew up, I realised life was quite tough,
Dealing with it, my parents' hands grew rough,
I was a grown-up too, and had to share the weight,
I even felt bad that may be I realised this very late!

I wanted to do something quickly, to earn big bucks,
But it wasn't possible by farming chicken and ducks,
So I decided to do something that made my parents cry,
But I knew the money would soon puff those tears dry.

I knew I drove pretty well, all the farmers would agree,
For driving tractors in their farms, they could award me a degree,
I decided to go to Mumbai, that’s called the city of dreams,
I would drive autos and taxis there, be a part of drivers' teams.

My mom totally cried her eyes out,
Dad too was upset, without a doubt,
They said they were happy in rags, wanted no riches,
They like their old clothes with hundreds of stitches.

But I was firm, to give them a better life,
I was ready to undergo a period of strife,
Would earn lots of money and save some,
So I can come back soon, back to my home!

With a heavy heart they agreed, what else could they tell?
But before I left, they wanted to hear my wedding bell.
I got married to this girl, as beautiful as the crescent moon,
I knew she'd take care of my parents, and be a real boon.

I had a beautiful month with my new bride,
I'd bathe her in money, I thought with pride,
Promising to call every week and meet every year,
I bade good-bye to each person who was my dear!

Then, to fulfil all my dreams, I arrived in this city that never sleeps,
I couldn't get off my head, the sound of my mom's and wife's weeps,
It wasn't as easy to live alone, as I had thought,
Had for this loneliness, with my family I fought?

But the toughest part was over and now I had to be strong,
I knew that my faith in myself would never prove me wrong.
So all set for every experience, I started to drive,
I was pretty sure, my family, of nothing would deprive.

I drive hundreds to their destinations each day,
And during those trips, a lot of things they say,
I hear all their conversations, and remain noiseless,
Even if I want to advise them, I remain voiceless.

There are husbands and wives that bitterly fight,
I can only miss my loving wife, every day and night,
There are young kids who lie to their mother,
When will I see mine? I can't help but bother.

The homesickness doesn't make me sick however,
I'm more motivated to work harder than ever,
I drive for all the more hours, may be 15 each day,
And I should be able to go back soon, I kind of pray!

Over is a year, and its time for an annual visit to motherland,
They're awaiting my arrival eagerly, with a flower-garland,
I go back to my village, my home, to my beloved folks,
And quickly passes a month, filled with love and jokes.

And the night before I leave, as if, for the war-field,
Talks to me, my bride, with her eyes tears-filled,
She says she doesn't like it without me, its too lonely,
And I assure her, it’s a matter of some more time only!

In a similar fashion, pass a few more years,
Slowly, with time, dried are her tears,
My parents died in their rags, not riches,
And garments for my kids, my wife stitches!

I skipped meals and saved more money,
Sending kids to school, isn't at all funny,
I missed seeing their first walks,
I missed hearing their first talks.

After every trip to home, I decided to put an end,
This would be the last time, I would purely intend,
But time kept passing, seasons after seasons,
My return kept delaying, reasons after reasons!

Now my kids are taller than me, not kids anymore,
But I still need to earn money, may be, a little more,
I don't know for how much more time, here I'll stay,
My head is half bald now, with scanty hair thats gray!

I still drive hundreds of passengers many places,
And back to my family, only my memory traces,
I see young girls and guys, they're all so fine,
Oh! So dearly, I miss those of mine!!

Is this a vicious cycle, I got trapped into?
Is there nothing that I could undo?
I missed living with my parents, kids and wife,
For all my life, I feel sorry, I kept missing life!

मीरा का प्रेम!

यूँ तो विश्व की हर ख़ुशी मेरे पास है

किन्तु फिर भी आज ये मन कुछ उदास है

लगता है जाग उठी फिर तुम्हे पाने की वो आस है

शायद इसलिए आज फिर ये मन उदास है!

आज भी याद है वो पल जब तुम्हे खोया था

दिल मेरा किस तरह से चीख चीख के रोया था

तुम वो सपना हो जो मैने बचपन से संजोया था

कैसे भूलूं वो दिन जब तुम्हे पाकर मैने खोया था!

एक अल्प सी मुलाकात थी जब तुम्हे जाना था

प्रेम मेरा निश्चल था, ये तुमने भी माना था

फिर उसके बाद हमे अलग अलग राह अपनाना था

बताओ इतना आसान कैसे ये कह पाना था?

क्या तुम्हे लगे मेरे प्यार के वचन झूठे

या किसी और कारण से तुम मुझसे रूठे

तुमसे दूरी का दुःख हर ख़ुशी मेरी लूटे

क्यूँ मेरे प्यार के सपने सारे टूटे?!

क्या मुझसे कोई भूल हुई जो तुम दूर चले गए?

या किसी विवशता में तुम कठोर बन चले गए?

इतना तो बता दो की क्या प्रेम मेरा साथ ले गए

या उसको भी तुम रास्ते में कहीं छोड़ कर चले गए?

सुना है कई बार मैने की साच को कोई आंच नहीं

जिसे तुम तोड़ गए वो ह्रदय था मेरा, कोई कांच नहीं!

सच्चा है प्रेम मेरा, इसे झुठला सकती कोई जांच नहीं

एक ही है प्रीतम मेरा, द्रौपदी की तरह कोई पांच नहीं!!

लौट आओगे फिर से तुम, आज भी ये आस है

आज भी तुम्हारे प्रेम को पाने की वो प्यास है

टूटा हुआ ही सही, 'मीरा' का ह्रदय तुम्हारे पास है

मेरे जीवन की साँसे, तुम्हारे लौट आने की आस हैं!!

[My first composition in Hindi :) ]

Lost in the Barren!

In this endless, scary desert- I'm an only Rose,

To be here in this place, I never ever chose,

The days are very hot and nights really cold,

All my pains and sorrows, remain untold...

I guess I lost my way, while searching for something,

Look where I am now, there's absolutely nothing,

The nature's too harsh on me, I am really delicate,

The wonderland of my dreams- how do I locate?

I desire some tiny drops, don't ask for a shower,

I'm content with a little, an innocent flower,

I feel really helpless, I am a dainty rose,

Everything's too strong for me; An over-dose.

I always thought I was pretty and lovely,

I was meant to be merry and not lonely,

I'm still being strong, trying hard to cope,

Waiting for you- my only ray of hope!

I tremble seeing scorpions- away even a mile,

And then to feel strong, I think of your smile,

The Prince of My Dreams, My Knight in Shining Armour,

Ride on your White Horse, And come to me- My Charmer!

I have to keep holding on, cant even unwind,

The moment I let loose, to me the storms will grind,

Come here and take me, before I give hope away

Just don't be too late, I know you're on your way!

I know I have not been perfect, well- nobody is,

But for my imperfection, I do not deserve this,

Take me out of this desert, I'm Only-Your-Blue-Rose,

Despite all the distance, my heart feels you're so close!

[Thanks a lot Chinu for creating this picture for my post on request]