मेले में ख़ामोशी
और अकेले में शोर
मुझ में ख़ुदा
और ख़ुदा में कोई और
क्या ढूँढते हो
कहाँ उलझी है डोर
क़ाबा खड़ा है
तेरे सजदों की ओर

To the long dark nights

For they are the keeper of dawn

To the winter northern lights

For they are the keeper of spring

I raise a glass

–

To the sighs of strife

For they are the keeper of success

To the hours of life

For they are the keeper of death

I raise a glass

–

To the passing years

For they are the keeper of wisdom

To the parting tears

For they are the keeper of memories

I raise a glass

–

To the wine maker

For he is the keeper of secrets

To the wine seller

For he is the keeper of silence

I raise a glass…

The sun has barely asked

For permission to move away

Just for a little while, he says

I know you will surely be okay

–

The birds have only just started

Having thoughts of flying south

Still enjoying the crisp dawns

Having done feeding the tiny mouths

–

The earth is still debating

If to slow down or keep spinning

The full moon has yet to declare

If its favors are up for winning

–

The jasmine is still blooming

Oblivious to the date and time

For there is still a warmth

In the little worms in the grime

–

All the other tress still standing

Green and tall in the long light

But this one here, is like me

Done…..and no more desire to fight

–

It cares not that the day is long

Or the earth still a tender warm

It cares not who seeks its shade

Or what of the next big storm

–

It seems done with all of that

And is now left with no desire

It has no need to say goodbye

It has become one with the fire

–

मेरी क़लम की सियाही काग़ज़ को मंज़ूर नहीं

मेरे ख़ुदा की खुदाई बंदे को मंज़ूर नहीं

मेरी रगों का धुआँ मेरे जिगर को मंज़ूर नहीं

मेरे होने का ग़ुमा मेरे शहर को मंज़ूर नहीं

अमावस की रात चाँद को मंज़ूर नहीं

मेरे दिल की बात मेरे ज़हन को मंज़ूर नहीं

आग को राख़ बन कर बुझ जाना मंज़ूर नहीं

मुझे खाक़ बन कर चले जाना मंज़ूर नहीं

To arise out of dark depths

In search of day’s light

To push until a path forms

And fight the good fight

To rush and meet the air with joy

Then caress every stone on the way

You, a fountainhead of soothing waters

Walk all longing through freedom’s doorway

This is no gentle rain…..

Slowly falling

Asking permission

Calm collected

A saint’s kind vision

~

This is a downpour…..

A pelting of stones

Announced by thunder

Chased by lightening

A punishing blunder

~

This meeting with You

No, not a gentle rain at all

Hammered to the ground

I fly high, even as I fall

If the promise is the heavens

I will gladly die today

If the promise is a meeting with You

I will forego the heavens

If the promise is quiet

I will gladly give up all my words

If the promise is stillness

I will even forego all my currents

But you see, there are no promises

And nothing is ever for granted

Then leave me be, sinful and singing

For I wish to stay alive today, in love

In light

The mountains becomes your image

In love

Our journeys become a pilgrimage

We sit together

My grief and I

Stare into the flames

Of how and why

Stoke the fire

With a stick of could haves

Fan it some more

With all the should haves

–

We sit together

My maker and I

My thirst unquenched

My soul is dry

He mends my cracks

With love mixed in gold

I am drunk again

And again I am bold

–

We sit together

The moon and I

The silence comes

And sits nearby

The rain is gentle

And the night is long

The dance of a sigh

To the eternal song

The last rays of sun

Kiss the gentle waves good night

The last tears of love

Make the silence feel all right