The Way Out

As it subsides - the rain,

all the efforts that seem to have gone in vain,

and have been the cause of so many pains,

seem to lose the power they have till now gained.

As the clouds make way for a clear sky,

and the sun at its peak is about to shine,

I close my eyes to feel the warmth of the light.

to enjoy this freedom I earned in my own right.

Just as I close my eyes, I can see the sun,

turn into a spotlight to a scene seen by none.

Not even me - a dream shown by the power,

the power of the sun's light when it showers,

on this view, that seems like a dream even in my dream,

and I sit back to enjoy this beauty's cream.

Just then I hear this voice as that of a narrator,

who tries to explain what one sees in the theatre.

But the voice seems to be talking directly to me,

I look around but the source is nowhere to be seen.

I close my eyes in my dream again, to hear the voice,

who somehow made me make this choice.

It started with a simple sentence talking about reality.

Asking me what I thought of the setting I just saw in clarity?

"It was a dream of course! I don't think it was real!"

And the voice replied, "That isn't you talking but your fear.

What I just showed you was glimpse of what lies ahead,

Your reality, was by destiny, with this scene wed.

Don't let your belief in yourself die.

Take the wings of this dream and fly."

Right when the voice said this last line,

I opened my eyes to this baby's whine.

Who stopped as soon as he saw me awake,

When I wasn't sure what to make,

of this thing I just saw.

The thoughts still raw,

Questioning still, "Did really happen?"

My train came to a halt at the last station.

When I got down I looked around for the 'way out' sign,

With the doubts still in my confused mind.

I took an inspiration from the direction sign when I saw it,

Which for this confused thought, was perfect to sort it:

"Whenever you are in doubt, 

Remember, there is always a 'way out'."

नज़रो की कहानी

उनकी और हमारे नैन कुछ ऐसे मिले,

जैसे बंजर ज़मीन पर फूल हो खिले। 

कुछ उनकी नज़रो ने कहना चाहा,

और कुछ हमने सुनना चाहा।

क्या जाने की वह भी वाही सोच रहे थे,

जो हम चाहते थे वह हमसे कहें?

क्या वही दास्तान वह अपने मनन में लिख रहे थे,

जिसके हज़ारों पन्ने एक नज़र में हमने लिख दीये?

इस सोच में हम तब तक खोये रहे,

जब तक वह हमारी आँखों से ओझल  न हो गए।  

हमें लगा कि शायद यह एक शुरुआत है,

एक इशारा, जो ऊपरवाले की सौगात है। 

पर कहानी तो तभी ख़त्म हो गयी थी, 

जब उन्होंने अपनी आँखों पर चश्मे का पर्दा डाल लिया।

The Three Men at Percy Street

One day sitting by the window,
Something caught my eye; previously unknown.
Three smartly dressed men and their story,
Who stood in confidence on Percy Street, hoping to make history.
But before I could see what they were doing,
My mind over my senses started ruling.
And took me into this world I often go into,
Where my dreams and imagination belong to.

I started thinking of the three men and their lives,
Where do they live? Do they take the tube? Did they bring their wives?

I last visited this part of my world,
Six and a half years ago and these thoughts since were unheard.
But today again as I sit by the same window,
Something caught my eye; previously known.
Those three smartly dressed men and their story,
Still standing there, they did make history.

The Transformation

Walking in the woods I found a tiny wooden stick,

As I hit it against the tree, it turned into a brick.

Surprised, I hit that brick against a bigger tree,

And that brick turned into a stone for free.

I understood these woods have magical powers,

And then was waiting for the rain showers.

As soon as it started to pour heavily,

I lifted the stone high up for it to meet the rain happily.

I soon felt some black powder on me roll,

lo behold! the stone had turned into coal! 

Just when I was about to throw it away,

With those pieces of coal gone astray.

I somehow understood the story here,

The final moral, I knew was somewhere near.

Searching all around I finally found it,

The open space; by the sun it was brightly lit.

I held the piece of coal very carefully,

Which turned into an ember, but really slowly.

It fell out of my hands that bright stone,

I just lay there besides it all alone.

When I woke up, I couldn't find it somehow.

I thought it would have cooled down by now.

And that would have been end of the story,

But then through the sand grains, in all its glory,

I could see something shine brightly,

I said to myself, "na, this is highly unlikely.

It can't be what I think it is," But I was wrong,

Something that I just picked up walking along,

Had turned into the most precious gem on this island,

the biggest ever known to mankind; a diamond.

Jai Ho

A small gesture can make a big difference,
A reply from a person of influence,
can bring this sense of joy to someone,
who may be known to almost none!
and in turn get inspired to practice and preach,
to every person that he can reach,
that instead of a thank you my friend,
you could help the society mend.

Go help three people and ask them to help three more,
till the time this practice to the whole world is known.
And who knows, we might be able to create a land,
where to pick a fallen person, there are atleast 3 hands. 

उनमें हम, हममें वो

कुछ ऐसी अदा से उन्होंने हमें देखा,
कि उन्हें मैं बस देखता ही रहा...
कब दिन से रात और रात से दिन हुआ,
यह भी लगा जैसे एक जुआ...
कब वो गए, कब वो लौट के सामने बैठे,
कैसे बताएं? वोह अब हमारी आँखों में हैं रह्ते…

उनकी हंसी ने फिर हमें ऐसे आके छुआ,
लगा जैसे उसने मानली हमारी अनकही दुआ...
शरमाते हुए, वोह ज़मीन की ओर देखने  लगे,
वोह संगेमरमर के टुकड़े भी मानो जैसे आईने बन गए,
उनकी मुस्कराहट को हम तक पहुंचा ही दिया…
फिर भी हमसे एक कदम आगे न लिया गया…
उस दुनिया से अनजान, मासूम नज़ारे को देख,
हमने खुदा से बोला, हमारी सांस बस अभी तू ले…

इस पल से ज़यादा ख़ुशी का पल,
फिर शायद न आये कल…
इस पल को अपने ज़हन में कैद करे,
उनकी रौशनी को अपने में भरे,
आज आने दे तेरे पास,
अब नहीं बची कोई आस…
उसे पा लें या तुझे पा लें,
दोनों के साथ में ही तो जन्नत है…

नक़ाब-ए-परदा

इस दुनिया में सभी ने ऐसा नक़ाब पहना है,
कि सच और झूट का अंतर आखिर किसे पता है?
इस सवाल का जवाब जो ढूंढ़ने जाओगे अरूण,
बस सवाल के जवाब को ही ढूँढ़ते रेह जाओगे
आओ ज़रा तशरीफ़ रखो हमारी भी महफ़िल में,
आज इस प्याले के परदे में छिपे जवाब को ही सच मानलो…

या एक बात हमसे भी सुनते जाओ बरखुरदार,
के चाहे सब छुपा लोगे तूम इस नक़ाब-ए-परदे में,
यह निगाहें सच बोल जाएँगी…