teri gaddari mein ae sanam

apni bewafai se pyaar kar gaye

tere jhoot ke samundar mein doobe aise

apni majboori ke kadradaan ban gaye

mohabbat ke mukam aur bhi hai

rishto ke aage 

mohabbat ke mukam aur bhi hai

ghar, sindoor ke aage

pyaar ke nishaan aur bhi hai

naam nahi 

lekin khwaisheyin toh judi humari

hakikat se pare sahi

ek duniya toh bani humari

soch rahi hoon--

teri meri iss duniya ko

nikharu thoda aur

toh kuch lavz tum likho

kuch lavz main

beet jaaye yun hi zindagani humari

wo hi silsila

ek baar phir
wo hi silsila chede
aa ke mohabbat ki garmi mein
saalo se thandi ruh senke

teri saanso ki leh mein
meri saanse chale
itni nazdikiyan phir
chahe sirf teri nighaye badhaye

meri khwashyein saari
iss ek pal mein sama jaaye
kaash ke tu aise dekhe
ki phir ek baar wo hi silsila chid jaaye

Of ethereal mornings

Young sun rays pouring in from the window

Sieved through leaves of the mango tree outside

Softened by the taming fabric of yellow curtains

Flooding white marble floor with warmth and light.

Window pane flora in full glory

Leaves swaying to the rhythm of gentle breeze

Pink and white periwinkles

Brightly smiling to the unfolding morning.

Little sparrows alight at the window

Announcing their arrival with a chirp and flutter

Wiggling wings in a shallow water pot

Before flying away with mouthful of millets.

Water tap running at the basin

Rustling of turning newspaper pages

Rice cooker whistling and

Clunking of steel vessels in the kitchen.

Sounds that signal maturing

Of this ethereal morning.

Wafts of incense and ginger chai

Aromas of rice and spice and

Soapy freshness of shampoos and creams

Scents that fill the morning

At my house.

These scenes

These sounds

These scents

Let me breathe again in a space

Painted by them.