Depression

I see the physical you
amongst shadows
in between shades
incorporeal, unearthly
ominous, definite


I see you move
I see you alive
I see you breathe
I see you smile
I see you taking over


Your face haunting every road
your presence marking every corner
walking step in step
sitting next to me
holding me, sleeping with me



Dark as the night
as dense as fog
heavy as cloying heat
so familiar, yet a stranger
asphyxiating, guaranteed

Safe

A cabaret, feathers, silks, furs, tutus
A dropped silk, an open smirk, smiles, gazes
A dropped feather, a contemptuous look

A masquerade ball, masks, veils,cloaks, plumes
A dropped hint, a cutting comment, glances, moves
A revealing glance, a scornful laugh

Family dinners, friends gathering, getting-together
Ritualistic love, hugs, kisses in the air
Banter and conversation, loud laughter
Cold eyes, colder still hands

Skins, layers, films, sheaths
Fences, walls, ramparts, bulwarks
Strengthened, fortified, defended,
Bastioned, barricaded, safe.

Nahi chahiye

Nahi chahiye, nahi chahiye ab ki baar
Woh sukoot, woh sannata, wahi toot phoot
Kirchchi kirchchi udhadhti rooh, raiza raiza wajood

Nahi chahiye, nahi chahiye ab ki baar
Woh barsaat, woh jhadhi, wahi rimjhim
Bin lahoo ke jism, bin saans ke rooh

Nahi chahiye, nahi chahiye ab ki baar
Woh girya o'zaari, woh siski, wahi bemaigi
Rooh cheekhti, jaan bilakkti hui

Nahi chahiye, nahi chahiye, bohot hua
Bohot hua imtihaan, ziyaye waqt, sab raigaan
Bohot hua, ab bohot hua, aur nahi chahiye

Ready to walk again

A scream breaks up and dies inside
Shivers tremble, slither, slide down
Tears collide with the speed of lightening
Eyes shut tight, oblivious to light, colour, life
Yet my heart stands up tall
Straightens its dress, brushes the dust off
Ready to walk again


It registers a knock then a flurry of fists
The ground gives way to a wingless flight
Speechless, sightless, soundless
Too late for death, for release, to exhale
Yet my heart stands up tall
Straightens its dress, brushes the dust off
Ready to walk again

Loadshedding

Din hota hai raat hoti hai
aap se kyun na mulaqat hoti hai
Dhoondte hain kabhi yahan kabhi wahan tak bhi
par na justaju tamam hoti hai

Tamasha dekhti hai zindagi behisi, lachari ka
uunche banglon mein jalte jhoomeron
doobi jhonpadi pe andheri raaton ka
Uthete qehqahon, doobti aahon ka

Aadat daal li bachon ne raasta tatolne ki
Andhere mein zindagi tolne, jeene ki
Kabhi paseene mein doobi kitabein thame hain
kahin khilone andhere mein khoye hain

Ahista ahista dolti, kirahti, sisakti zindagi
ruukhi, pheeki, tadapti, kasakti zindagi
Aisa tau nahi keh chaha chaand ya taaron ko
Maanga tau bas apna noore ashiane hai

Apna Lamha (2) ................ In continuum from the earlier poem 'Apna Lamha'

Kabhi kuch phoot'te hain roop se
Rang o boo, kuch roshni, chah se
Keh hai seep se koi chalka
Koi dhalka kirnon se
Kabhi phool se hai tapka

Kabhi kuch phoot'te hain dard o nai se
Andheri raat, sooni rehguzar se
Keh hai aankh se koi tapka
Koi gira tanhai ki od se
Kabhi unkahi se hai guzra

Tumhare naam hain yeh sab hi
Hamare pyaam hain yeh sab hi
Jo hai, hai tau apna hi
Jaisa ha, hota tau hai apna hi
Jo hai tau saath hai apne hai

Apna lamha

Aik oas mein piroya, aik chandni se tapka
Aik gira madham madham raat ke pehloo sa
Aik lipta dhoop se, aik chimta kirnon se
Aik chala holay holay dopeheron sa

Aik aaya khushbu jaisa, aik bana roop jaisa
Aik chaya dheema dheema sargam sa
Aik duuba barishon mein, aik phaila rom rom se
Aik bassa madhur madhur saanson sa


Aik tumhare saath jaisa, aik hamari baat jaisa
Aik dadhkanon ke beech lambi umron sa
Aik mein tau tum bhi ho, aik mein tau hum bhi hain
Aik bana puura apna hum jaisa