curiosity, concern, compassion and collaboration
i saw the beams of the temple, still intact after centuries
so many quakes came and destroyed the buildings but this temple still stands
why do some people design structure to survive
centuries
why do some people see that long
why is yearning for life lead them to aim so distant a dream
why
when two rivers like the bosoms of a mother flow
and feed the new born children
nothing more remains to be said about the moment,
tenderness or art or a divided self and its heart
but then mother has not been fed for long
she is feeling guilty that the kids are not fed properly
she wishes that her breast sbe cut and she be denuded of the source
but then who will do that, every body looks around
we decide to damn the river but do not nurture the source
she cries and the kids become silent
they have learned to be silent when
mother cries
you have a garden on the roof
every time i climb the stairs i smell the aroma
i some times just stop and stare out fo windows
i do not see any other garden in the region
why are there no gardens around
have all bees collaborated to pollinate flowers
this season, will they claim the nectar also
does every pollinator get nectar
i do not know if that is true, will that be a sweet smooth bargain
but i am not climbing steps
for any bargain
i am coming because i know
i can be asked to go back
because some one else is tending the garden then
liek an egg plant, you may roast a relationship
and some cracks may appear on the surface
but as long as inner core is soft and pliable,
why not keep working on it
when the doorbell rang,, i did do not know
should i open the door
or let him wait
i asked him to return
because i did not have any space
in my inn
lot of travellers had already occupied every corner there
but this traveller was insistent
he will not go away
if only he coudl sit in a corner
it was very cold outside
and warmth of the inn
at this hour
was the only way, he could wait for the morning
i let him in and then saw
he was not able to sit too long
tired and fatigued, he slept away, resting his head
on the wall
which now had some cracks
kuchh galatiyan hamse gar yun hi hoti raheyn
shikayateyn ko shayad phir waqt hi na miley
manjiley na miley, rastey na kateyn
lekin asmaan se kuchh tarey girtey rahen
koi manaey unhey apshakun, koi dekhey unmey ummeed
ham bekhabar ho unki kismat ko likhatey rahen
tum azaad ho, ham hai gulam, lekin khamoshiyan ki juban sunatey rahey
kisee ko na ho gam, duban apni kishti, lehron ki bhukh ham bas yuhin mitatety rahey
resort was crowded
because all holiday makers
descended here
and found fire
but no fire flies
ire of those
who came late and
complained, there was
no friendship here, no allies
i am now sitting quiet,
waiting for the crowd to thin
and may be then
there will be vapour in the crucible
placed on the fire
with a few tears saved from yesterday night
when i met her
alone and devoid of all stinging
nettles
she often tied in her hairs
‘2004
wronged you, wronged myself, who got it right then
why did i have to hurt you
why did i get hurt
whey do we get hurt
are the bonds to be,
really the claims of sea
which will swallow
no matter how they appear, hollow
all the dreams
i saw, you saw
my question
you are my question
tired tranquility asked me , why
why are you so impatient,
why do not you go and retire
how could i even suggest
the winds are not so strong that sails
of my boat can be filled
and i go away
but then you would not let me anchor here for too long
may be i should sink the boat
forget swimming
and let the waves carry me in their arms
some where
where there is no fatigue
and no sleep
silence of serenity that engulfed me tonight
when you asked me to not to sulk, be bright
i wondered if this is all that you ask for after all
no complaints, no expectations and just be on call
i have no idea, how much the pain was caused on the way
when you waited for me, and i had no time to even to say
go, go, go far and away, do not seek me in the woods on fire
i have sold all the gold, now i have nothing to ask, not even a desire