where is the wind

a moment
trapped
on the altar of a small rock
is now free
to fly
but where is the wind
or for that matter storm
which can sweep the leaf away
from its stubborn
resolution
to stay where it wishes
but the wishes
are no more in command
and the leaf stays there
moment is emptied
slowly
slowly

o Vain Climber

o! vain climber,
now that tree is drying out
slowly
why not find a new abode
but you will not listen
you will not
and the tree will learn to wear
green shawl
thanks to your embrace
in a wintery night
and autumn of extinguished aspirations

release the radiation

Beeps of sound
A broken mound
Lost the way
Don’t please hound
Said the squirrel
Smiling and peaceful
Full of hope and energy
Derived from denuded hills
Planted with bushes and trees
Burnt house
An avalanche unannounced
Just be there
Don’t stand and stare
Absorb the kindness
Release the radiation
From the kernel
Of a fallen fruit
Lest squirrel will claim
What it only can save
For regenerating the forest
After it succumbs to fire

bhar gaya man

saanso ka bun kar ek sapna
tumney kyun udhar diya itna
karj se bhari ho gaya daaman
mit gaya bhram, bhar gaya man

when some pebbles dont get rounded off

flow
flow as ferociously as you can
sweep the stars
denude the sky
break the banks
but dont mind
if some pebbles remain unpulverised
that is the way they are made
nothing will ever
break the spirit of those rocks, and pebbles
will you keep flowing
till you meet
the rocks you can pulverise, may be

spare the beams of your citadel

what more could a brach without leaves do
except to offer itself as a fuel
to keep your house warm
by burning in the uncovered oven

or to be hacked into pieces
for being composted to let flowers
in your garden bloom

may the white ants ride on the waves
of smoke rising towards the sky
spare the beams of your citadel
lest it crumbles by its own weight

fallen stars

silence was expected
but there is a huge chaos
may be divine blessings will be
showered now
morning will promise
that dew sparkles
all the aspirations
of those who have been denied their due
for centuries
language
will not reveal
but sounds will codify
how the declaration of redemption takes place
forgive them,
for they are not
here to stay
they will turn the tide
for those who stand by the
fallen stars in the ocean of
vain pursuits

emptiness

emptiness helped the fresh air to gush in
how else would have i realised
what was stifling the clouds to disperse
and let light fall on saplings planted recently
but now there is no anxiety
no chaos
no accountability to the
torn curtains
and moth eaten
frames with worn out photos
there is a renewed promise
to pursue
the path
which will not be deflected
any more
even if you pave it with smiles
all the way

a mast with patches, boat rudderless?

Safar Kitna Bhi kyun mushkil na hua,
jindagi par yakeen agar bas badta Gaya,
Duayen keejiyen thodi to shayad toofan nibte,
waise naon ke mastool mein paiband Kya kam hain

no matter how difficult was the journey
my faith on life has been increasing nevertheless
pray a bit, may be it will help in settling the storm
though the mast of the boat has many holes already, though patched up

words

words
like envelops
clothe ideas
but do they mask the feelings
or uncover the healing
process
set in by storms
unabated