वक़्त का शहर

शहर भी उनका, पैमाइश भी उनकी
वक़्त के इस शहर में बातें कभी बीती नहीं होती

यहाँ हर गुज़रे लम्हे के अर्ज़ पर एक इमारत खड़ी है
हर ख़्वाबीदा मुस्कान के गुलज़ार खिले हैं
उन लावारिस सवालों की बड़ी-बड़ी हवेलियाँ -
खँडहर हुईं, पर भूली नहीं गयी..

यहां साला सब ही कुछ landmark सा है
रास्ता भटकने जाएँ भी तो कहाँ जाएँ !

Release Me!

So flawless in your flight, you were
as free as the Nature's first would be,


I stood there fascinated (her enigma),
As nothing could what you taught me.


No quests, no reality, no liberation;
Or wisdom that comes with age,


As I breathed in: that freedom hath no owner,
And wilderness no cage.

ठहरे से इन लम्हों में भी हिम्मत अपनी पुरजोर है,

गौर करो, दूर कहीं वो बहती इक नदी का शोर है..

क्यूँ रुक जाऊं मैं यूँ ही इन वादियों  की  हस्ती देख कर
जब फिरता हूँ मैं अपनी मंजिल की मस्ती देख कर!

हौसला मेरा नहीं ये शायद, इक चिराग की रौशनी में जलता हूँ
आइना सा बन कर मेरे दिल में जो रोशन है, मुस्कुराता झूमता चलता हूँ;

कभी कभी अपना रस्ता भूल जाता हूँ मैं, दूर निकल जाता हूँ मैं,

वो कशिश है या ऐतबार, बंद आँखों से भी रस्ते पर लौट आता हूँ मैं

याद नहीं ज़मीन पर उतरे थे, या पहले कदम लडखडाये, तब से थामे कोई डोर है
अरे सुनो, दूर कहीं वो उसी नदी का शोर है!

ज़मीं को चीरती, अपने में मसरूफ, मस्ती से सराबोर है,
दूर नहीं है, अब वो यहीं है, ये इसी नदी का शोर है.. 

Silver Dreams

A dream- what the heart craves, and the head fights to live for,
roused by the desire to break free, desire to soar!


But your thoughts are made up, your dreams are surreal;
What do you know of reality - when nothing's like you feel?


Captivated by the illusions, barely might you see;
And may you do, you know- these nuances are mine, but it's not me!


And afraid- not of the dark; you lay in your cozy bed;
For your questions sound cliched, their answers well-bred;


Careful! for you might break the enchantments if you ever warn them.
Now there's a struggle within; wisdom no more it may seem-


Give them what they want, it was always their's for the taking;
those thick glass walls break and shatter, sounds of a breaking dream..!!

An Expression

A sweet melody

in my heart;

She is a boundless dream,

a free man's art.

This girl; in my life,

makes my spirits rise;

Her cherubic face-

her smiling eyes;

I never incurred,

my heart had turned fragile;

a girl simple yet perfect-

a thought of her: like a fool I'd smile.

Not love! It isn't all that this could be-

to me, love has been a mere word;

A hyperbole much splendored,

reality never heard.

All I know, she is a symphony,

that soothes my ears;

Like tulips for the sick;,

a flip-side to all pain and tears.

My heart choses to;

and my mind takes respite,

The air spreads her fragrance,

and these nights are bright.

She is a reality;

the golden bird's grace in a human,

The way she makes me feel;

Waiting for the sun.

Is it that too secluded,

my emotions, I keep in store;

Or is it right not to express,

and let love open the door?

When it comes to love, humans act selfish,

with her, I don't want to be;

Where does this road go;

Being nothing or a young love as I see?

For in the darkest hours

her face from the vivid memories shines;

In the strong imagery I drown,

in her aura that binds.

I dream,

and wish I'd never be awake,

Lost in solace,

around her a comfortable abode I make.

Or in the wilderness,

where Nature's music plays;

and the purity in the virtue that compares-

For eternal is the love that stays.

I feel her,

besotted; I am indeed-

My desire, I'd cherish her,

In turn my craze she'd heed!

Although Time heals, as they might say;

the way under the sun colors would fade,

Life is what she does mean to me;

As much would it cost: if my happiness I grade.

Or I'd rather find truth in reality,

We'll find our wisdom, and my muse she shall be-

To make me nothing I'm not,

and everything that is me.

Heresy

I believe; as a belief in its true character would be,
Not driven by Fear, Greed or Respite;
Or the high-minded-ness of the society-
Not by expectations, or merely what is supposed to be,
Not where legacies and divinations make an alibi:
For curiosity and righteousness guide my demeanour,
Nor by the throne or any crown do I perceive-
I believe in love, and love is how I believe.