Drop everything in the tray

“Drop everything into the tray, don’t carry anything”, said the heavily accented voice of the CISF guard.

I reluctantly let go of the purse stuffed with random currency notes and some coins too, co-existing with their newer plastic version. I let go of the power to buy.

I dropped the mobile phone after the last quick reply on the WhatsApp chat and the quick refresh on the Instagram feed. I severed the social bind.

I removed my watch, and with that the awareness of time.

I also let go of the card which proved my identity, a piece of paper to prove my existence. I let go of the pretence.

I had let go

I was free.

I stood on the yellow line.

I could safely pass through the portal

There was no fear.

The portal beeped as I crossed. I wondered what had I not let go.

The guard called out sternly once again

“These metal detectors detect your thoughts too, because that’s where you still carry all that you dropped.”

“Free your mind too”

I am that breeze

Early morning smells fresh
Curtains flutter gently
Leaves sway merrily
Cold that feels on your skin
I am that breeze

Free to touch
Free to caress
free to Steal the fragrance
the one that carries the whisper
I am that breeze

Beyond the boundaries
Always moving
Swift yet gentle
Unseen yet felt
I am that breeze

Here now
There also
Here, with me
There with you too
I am that breeze

In you
breathing life
In me too
Connected as one
I am that breeze

The touch
From far away
What you felt
On your cheeks
I am that breeze

Beard

It never emerged
It was cut to size
In the morning
Like a ritual
Always

This time
It emerged
When we were alone
Like a shadow
Darker

We spent time
Alone and together
It stayed
As a friend
Close

Bit unkempt
Some strands of grey
Whichever way
It still remained
Friend

over the days
It grew
It grew on me too
It was me
New

Days of recluse
were getting over
I had to head back
to the world
Of rules and rituals
real

The beard has no place
It must be cut to size
Like a ritual
Like it had never
emerged

Doston ki Mehfil

दोस्तों की महफ़िल है
छलकेंगे पैमाने
क़िस्सों का सिलसिला चलेगा
बनेंगे कई फ़साने

वक्त नया है
नए दोस्त, नए याराने हैं
पर जब भी मिलेंगे वो दोस्त
गूंजे वही तराने हैं

कई साल पुरानी बात है
कई साज़ और ताल मिलाने हैं
फिर वहीं से शुरू करेंगे
वही रस्ते वही मोड़ पुराने है

कुछ तो है जो जोड़े रखता है
रिश्ता तो कोई नहीं है
वक़्त और शहर अलैदा सही
दिलों के बीच फ़ासला ज़्यादा नहीं है

दोस्तों की महफ़िल है
छलकेंगे पैमाने
कुछ पहुँचेंगे
किसी के बहाने हैं

Tum ho

तुम वो रात हो
वो नींद हो
तुम वो सुबह हो
तुम यहीं हो

ख़्वाब हो
साँस हो
यहीं मेरे पास
हर पल में हो

वो धुन हो
जिसे गुनगुनाया है
वो याद हो
जिसे मुस्कुराया है

तुम हो वहाँ
जहां मंज़िल है
क़रीब हो, दूर हो
जहां जाना है

मेरा कौन हो
क्या नाम रखूँ
रिश्ता नहीं
मेरी पहचान हो

तुम आज हो
मेरा कल भी
क्या और है मुझमें
मेरा सब कुछ हो

Dark Coffee

Fluid Pours out
Warm and brewed
From the pot
Into the expectant goblet
Waiting impatiently
Like a tired mind

Crystals of sweet
Blend like magic
Into the Juice
of dark bitter bean
dark brown fluid
Looks pretty fine

The aroma rises
Harbinger of the taste
Scales the chasm
between the cup and lip
Oh that smell
triggers the mind

The first sip
tastes like heaven
Cataputing me away
From the grime
I am pure bliss,
free from the bind