elusive shangri la
elusive shangri la
baithak has an aura. sheesha, fireplace, bulging bookshelves, rugs, divan takias and more...
elusive shangri la
soccer dad
on the field
the young child
missed the target
the father consoled
the crestfallen child
off the field
the father forlorn
lost in syllogism
evoking missed targets
real unreal
under the spotlight in the corner
the dieffenbachia with shiny leaves
and on the wall three wooden frames
with florid pictures of houseplants
faani
wajood mo'aiy'yoon hay
munsalik wajood say
teri meri jaan hay
tughiani e andesha
istifsaar kerti hay
jan tou aani jaani hay
mawra e wajood e faani hay
phir yeh khalish kaisi
respite
longing to drown
in the honeycomb
of the inner self
avoiding the (blazing) sun
has to be wrestled
mohlat
ujalay ki haqeeqatoN say
amaan chahtay hu'aye
aao ghar'q ho jaiN
ghaar e daroouN ki tareekion maiN
kay abhee shayad muhlat baaqi hay
of a goat, sheep or cow
blowing ...
najat
talaash ii (revised)
zeh'n kay jangaloN maiN
zaat kay sehraoN maiN
t'ri ankhioN ki jheel maiN
ghota zun dhooNdta hooN
saleeb ko, pyalay ko
ab tou yeh aalam hay
her rah chaltay shaksh ki
aankhoN maiN dhoondta hooN
khud ko ...
talaash i (revised)
zeh'n kay jangal, zaat kay sehra maiN
aur teri aankhON ki jheel maiN hay
talash kisi go'om gushta such ki
jo saleeb per saidouN pehlay
chaRha diya tha, ya jis nay
khushi say zeh'r pee liya tha
jaanta hooN yeh sub, khalish laikin
muztarib rakhti hay mujhay
of inconsequential consequences
talaash ii
paida hotay hee zaalimoN nay
saleeb per chaRha diya thaa
kya a'jub jo zeh'n kay jangaloN maiN
zaat kay sehraouN maiN go'om
teri ankhiouN ki jheel maiN ghar'q
khood ko najanay kyuN dhooNdta hooN
aur ab tou yeh aalam hay kay
her rah chaltay ki aankhouN maiN
janay kis kis ko dhoondta hooN...
talaash i
zeh'n kay jangal maiNpeer e tasma paa |
|
whispers
mrs. havisham would not knowcocoon
do clouds have feelings?
the mute beggar outside dolman mall
the wrinkles on her face
a veritable topography
the forehead saharan dunes
side of left eye the great lakes
the right dunes of rab al khali
the cleft tectonic fissures
neck coppadacia
toothless smile compassionate
eyes penetrating
tears