lighthouse / ummeed ka diya

lighthouse
in the path of life
first the shadows deserted
then the trees dwarfed to bushes
before disappearing
greenery turned to desert
destination, though, remained elusive

was this the same straight path
inebriated with the passions of youth
we took in the foggy past?
or in that mist
we followed another one

lighthouse of hope shines
beacons keep moving
you will arrive
lighthouse of hope shines
in the cloudy visions of age

ummeed ka diya
jeewan ki pug'dandi per
pehlay saa'aie chinnh ga'aye
phir darakht jhaRi banay
aur aakhir ho ga'aye ghayab
sabzaa sehra bana
laikin manzil ankaa hee rahi

kiya yeh wohi siraat e mustaqeem thi
ya rawani e mauj e shabab maiN
ghota zun, ehd e guzashtaa maiN
kisi aur rah pur chal niklay thay hum

jalta hay ummeed ka diya, kehta hay
chaltay raho chaltay raho
inhi raahouN say hogi humkinaar manzil
jalta hay ummeed ka diya
zoof e beena'ie maiN aalooda, jalta hay