Past few days....

How much more to bear
In lands bereft of care
A seed that's yet to sprout
Its time the lights go out

Into a deep dark night
Two eyes stare for some sight
With no one near to hear
A child curls up in fear

With moments frozen still
And loneliness afill
He chose to give away
Than wait another day

Not all that's done is right
And neither worth a fight
There isn't a word to say
But thoughts don't fade away

The days that just have passed
With lots of grief amassed
Leave no thought in mind
That tomorrow might be kind

चाह वापसी की.... ....

कि इल्तिजा है यही 
गुज़रते वक़्त की नदी 
जहाँ  बहता था कभी 
मुझे ले चल तू वहीँ 

कि मुझे आज नहीं 
मेरे होने का यकीन 
मैंने देखा था मुझे 
तेरी लहरों में कभी 

तेरी मझधार में ही 
मेरा घर था कभी 
ये ठहरी सी ज़मीं 
मेरी मंज़िल तो नहीं 

कुछ मेरी ही थी खता 
कुछ समय का था कहर 
की वो बहता ही रहा 
मुझको  ठहरा के कहीं 

देख मुझको तू कभी 
हूँ खड़ा अब भी वहीँ 
एक हथेली में भरी 
कल की कुछ याद लिए 

ले चल मुझको वहीँ 
जहाँ खोया था कभी 
जहाँ जाना था मुझे 
तेरी पहचान में ही 

अर्ध-विराम ....

अर्ध-विराम  समय के काफिले का ,
कुछ  ठहरे से पलों का 
सुष्क-वृक्ष की डालों से 
वक़्त की कुछ बूँदें गिरी 
उड़ चली सपनों के पंख लिए 

अर्ध-विराम  - है ठहराव कोई 
या कि फिर है 
थमे से क़दमों की आहट 
तेरी लफ़्ज़ों की गूँज  लिए 
हू-ब-हू तेरी ख़ामोशी जैसी 

अर्ध-विराम  - लगता  है यूँ 
कि रुका सा है 
ज़िन्दगी  का सफर
वीरान से सड़कों के 
अनजान से  चौराहे  पर 

या कि फिर ..........  

अर्ध-विराम समापन नहीं 
आधे-अधूरे फ़साने का 
बल्कि आग़ाज़ है वो 
बदलाव लिए,
कुछ नए पलों के आने का 

अर्ध-विराम कारागार  नहीं 

ख़्वाबगाह है जागी आँखों का 
या है वो सराय जहाँ 
रूकती है पल भर के लिए 
दौड़ती  नब्ज़ों  का कारवाँ 

अर्ध-विराम कोई अंत नहीं 

ये तो नींद से भरी 

अलसायी सी दोपहरी है 

जो कहती है  -

शाखों की  कुछ पत्तियां हरी है अभी 

थकावट है तुझे , तू ठहर ज़रा 

मैंने एक मुट्ठी ख्वाबों  से भरी है अभी 

Unreasonable Desires....

Miles behind 
I've left my dreams
Of a blooming spring
And flowing streams
I had just prayed
To keep me warm
And see me through
The winter storm

I wanted not
The dazzling lights
Nor did I ask 
For a day's delight
Cheerful plays
Through night and day
I never craved 
To cross my way

I have rejoiced
In piercing breeze
In scorching sun
I've been at ease
In shivering cold
While drenched in rain
I never whined
With some complain

However small
My want has been
Exceeds the fate
As can be seen
I have been told
By my yesterday
My days to come
Will be like today

On a Long Highway...

With a stale dry bread
And sugarcane juice
The heart denies 
To call a truce
Devoid of thoughts
On a long highway
I crave to speak 
I have lots to say

Vicious attacks 
Of last few days
Have bruised the life
In a thousand ways
In pensive times
Of gloom and fears
The wounds burn bad
With salt of tears

Breathing still
The dusty air
And sights ahead
Of just despair
An impaired mind
Just cries aloud
But no one hears
In the bustling crowd

Clasping hard
Some memories old
The hands are tired
Of the weight to hold
With food of thoughts
No one to share
The soul shivers
Uncovered and bare

Leering away
At the lone milestone
The eyes behold
How times have flown
How feelings have 
Just lost their way
I search myself
On a long highway

Life's Lessons.....

What makes them smile?
Is a pricey gift
Some  phoney glitters
Take their minds adrift

Some words untrue
And a touch not felt
Is all it takes
For hearts to melt

Hideous thoughts 
Disguised as care
Is just enough
For them to share

And there I thought
There is lot to do 
To learn to love
In years so few

I thought that love
Was sweat and tears
Some smiles and frowns
Of joy and fears

Now when I look
At times bygone
It seems I was wrong
May be all along

Life's lessons
Alas are tough
It's a pain to know
Love is not enough

Cost Of Dreams....

Tempestuous times
Have told again
This time as well
Will pass in vain
No matter what
Night stars can do
They cannot bring
A dawn for you

Storms loom large
Within the eye
The waves are rogue
The swells are high
The wind swept skies
Echoes your wails
But storms will tear
Apart  the sails

Silent shrieks
Roar in the ears
Sounds of  pain
Get drowned in tears
Afar you see
A distant light
Too far it is 
To help your plight

You've lived a life
For a cause that's lost
You have nothing
To pay the cost
The cost of dreams
Of a future day
Seems much too steep
To bear today