The Grand Union (Sayujyam)

The majestic Lions

In middle of the night
or in the morning early
Hurtling down we came
With speeds
of tingling expectations
Through the winding roads
of concrete and tar
and through wistful misty memories

In the courtyard
we gather
Some having
wise greys in the black
Some happy with
Few strands of blacks in the greys
Every strand, however
Telling different stories

There we mingle
a part of every memory
a carefree child
In every worn eyes
nostalgic eyes searching
for those moments in past
Vivid they are, in the Now
merging seamlessly with yesteryears

The house stands testimony
Of happy and sad
every laughter, every sob
The dip in the pond
and those mischiefs, unnoticed
Aware of each past moment
that crowd into this moment, Now
bound in a unwritten book of stories

Bound and connected
In a single strand
The beads of a clan
with mingling bloodlines
Yet thicker are the thoughts
and feelings that they brought
For that will linger when all leave
In this silent house, full of memories

There we are
Bidding goodbyes
Some travelling far
Some close by
Separated by distance
Bound, yet with feelings
With promises to be back
to strengthen these bonds

The house witnessed it all
the placid pond heard it too
The worn out steps held us back
Majestic lions at gates, hid their emotions
As I took a final look back
hidden, in the white canopy
And glorious decorations
I think I saw the house smile

The nostalgic pond

Ho shayad woh kharra

छोड़ दूँ
वो सब
जो तुम्हें
लगे बुरा

कुरेद कर
नोच कर
जो बचे
हो शायद वो खरा

और ना बचा
कुछ अगर
तो बस रहेगा दिल
मोहब्बत भरा

Shadows remain Black

Clouds at Laitlum

The clouds float
Freely
Hanging on to the winds
in the wide blue sky

Some light and white
Some laden and dark
Some flying low
Some soaring up high

They cast a shadow
On the earth below
The creeping shadow
Cover the green meadow

Irrespective of the clouds
White or dark
Low or high
Shadow remains black below

Is there something more serene? Aur Sukun Kya Hai

एक प्यारा साथी
अपना सुना हुआ सा गाना
थोड़ी सी हवा
धीरे से चलते लम्हे
और सफ़र क्या है

ठंडी खामोशी
थोड़ी गरम साँसे
ना मौक़े की तलाश
ना कोई मायूसी
और हासिल क्या है

कुछ फ़ुरसत
कुछ धूप
ठंडी घास
और नंगे पाँव
और सुकून क्या है

The Aisle seat

The aisle seat

Humanity
Stacked in rows
Secured by belts
On the assigned seats
Some paid
Some free

Moving as one mass
To the common destination
Confined
In the fixed space
Static inside
Surging outside

Cocooned in thoughts
Each one his own
Together yet separated
in the clouds
Some remain strangers
Some make friends

Pilot steers
On the preset path
through turbulent weather
The hostess maintains calm
Some sleep
Some pray

The wings
Spread wide
Slicing through the air
Responsive to the joystick
Sometime level
Sometime on a dive

Tyres screech on tar
It’s a touchdown
End of journey
at the destination
Some returning
Some leaving

They scatter
Onwards on their own life
Released from the seats
Apparently free
Some remember
Some forget

Diwali ki Shubkamnayen

शुभकामनाएँ
है आपको
आज
दिवाली की

दीपों से सजी
रोशनी से भरी
रहे हर शाम
दिवाली सी

नटखट पटाकों से
हँसी के ठहाकों से
भरी हो हर शाम
दिवाली सी

दीयों की आँच से
भस्म हो मन का मैल
शुभ हो ये रात
दिवाली की

शुभकामनाएँ
है आपको
रोशनी की
दिवाली की

There is home in the walls

The walls meet
at the corner
Enclosing the space
There is a Room in the walls

Windows open
Letting in the sunlight
And some fresh air
There a living space in the room

Door hears a knock
There they come
filled the space with love
There is a home in the space

Laughter reverberates
Tears wiped on the shoulder
Together we live
Creating zillion memories in my home