बेला की खुशबू
लीची का गूदा
आमों का रस था
और बहती हुई गर्मी
में अम्मी की गोदी
में बस कर
और सिंक कर
नींदें हुई पूरी
लड़कपन में पलटी
की सखियों संग खिल्ली
-- बीती है क्या खूब
अबकी गर्मी की छुट्टी।

man ki pukar

जीवन की लटाई
अब लपेटने पे आई
तो मन की पतंग इठलाई
हो बेकल वो चिल्लाई
.....अर्रर कोई काट मेरी डोर
कि मैं अब सविभोर
उडू बादलों के संग
बिना ढील बिना पेंच
फिरूं चहु ओर बिना हेंच
जाऊं क्षितिज से मैं मिल
पहने इन्द्रधनुषी रंग
रासूं स्वंत्रता की उमंग।

chal phir uden

चलो एक बार फिर उड़ें
गहरे बादलों के साए तले से निकल
गीले पंख पसार कर चलें
फिर उठें
क्षितिज ढूँढने चलें
तो अये दिल संभल
और परवाज़ कर
.......................
परवाज़ कर .

پکار

دل کا ہر گوشہ خالی ہے

اور لوح میں میرا پتا پڑا ہے

!ــــ  چلےآؤ 

Mates for life

What worth is friendship
that lasts for time
that's bright as the day
when sun shines
wholesomely to warm.

That one that
cares to last
in rain and sleet
through winterly breeze
when weather growls
and turns to grey
and clouds outpour
grief, or wrath of heaven,
its then that
dampened soul
learns whom to trust, hold on
cherish for life
true mate and friend
that heart did yearn to find.

Sightings

The shawl of gloom
wraps me warm,
and at times
lifts its veil
to let me glimpse
as time billows past -
on horizon is lit
faint and far
without falter -
steady in haze
it shines, it beckons
the shimmering lamp of hope
brightens my dim sight

Yes its through You
that I behold?
Your hands
surely guide. 

I prefer peace to passion

I want to rest

by gentle shores  

which're lapped 

by tender tides
of water -

those that have touched

graced and peeked
at world from crest
to then

humbly fall 

to embrace

caress the sand 

on land
as they know of pain

when they broke
against rocks

with the passion
of high waters!

Surrender

If indeed
I am reflection
of Your radiance
refracted through universe
to natural Diversity,
I am content
happy to raise head
join hands, merge, subsume
to disperse the brilliance
of Your Divinity.

कायरता और कमजोरी में

अंतर है - 

कायर निर्भीक सशक्त सच से

मूंह मोड़ता है

और कमज़ोर सच सह

अवहेलित हो मन कचोटता है

उसकी सहनशक्ति में ही 

वीरता का प्रमाण धरा है.

Kal Raat
Nagadon Ji Awaaz Suni thi
Goonjti chingarti
Antraal ke sannaton mein pukarti
Chaukas Mann sun sambhal
Ant yahin kareeb hai.

सबको ही सानती है
बेदर्द बड़ी 
कमबख्त है
ये ज़िन्दगी!

Onion

As onions peel

from dry withered skin

in layers to reveal

within -

there lay 

tangy succulent  core

Its the nature 

of life!

Robin's call

Robin larked
it rested and called
from swinging twig
that sprouted
from tree
in my fore court;
drawn to the window
my gaze was caught -
merry tree'd put on
shimmers of pink and green.

Colours gracefully crept
up the sprig
that swayed
coy and gay
as newly wed bride
wanting to hide
yet reveal the blossom
to seeing eye.

Morning breeze blew
in teasing stride
touching and twisting
twig to waltz
as robin flew
it announced spring
in its call.

Treasure Trail

As sure as gravity

its the Divine 

Nature's law -

to set one and all

through steeps and twists

that sent us volleying

past ways and maze

at times so narrow

its a struggle to breath!

Then surely with ease

it comes to pass

leads into expanse

to grow and glow

with experience evolve

our beings extend

to reach out 

for the goal -

it is the prize

of every special 

Treasure Trail.

25.1.12 at 11:24 pm

सन्नाटों की सिलवटों

में सिमटी, भीड़ की 

तन्हाई से छटी बैठी है

कहीं, बिलकुल बेखुद सी

ये खुदी.

Human bonds

when those born near
stay apart
by choice
they make place
to be filled
by ones who become dear
for sake of what
you or they are
or feel and believe
in common -
and thus one
becomes entwined, sown
in thread of humanity
strength of these knots
go beyond
stated bonds of blood.

मेरी सांझ ढलती है

तो सेहर तुम्हारी होती है

तुम्हारी रौशनी की खातिर

मेरा सोना ज़रूरी है.

निस निस दिन
घुलती ढलती काया
में हर पल पिसती
पिघलती माया
सिर्फ एक डगर
पर खींचता मन है
हर साँस सहित
जीवन अर्पण है
जहाँ सर्वप्रीत
शांत संवेदना से
मनु प्रतीक मनु व्यवहार
प्रकट हो.

one day at a time

'morrow is uncertain
so today's the day -

minutes inch
make hours
they sign up, adorn
day after day
that's breathed with sigh
and content, lived best
in avid eager way.


regardless of where
next turn takes to head
highs or plunge
lined with colours
of gloom or flowers
that liven onward way
there's reason
to trip on
to bounce and trot
each moment issues call
to revel in its special
to live life to full
- carefree
for every affair's looked after
by thee.

सर्वशक्तिमान ने अपनी
रूह यूं फूँक दिया
कि पार्थव शरीर ने
हर ज़ख्म
हर दर्द से
तिलमिला कर भी
सहज मुस्कराना
सीख लिया!